MW Lift Services
LOLER Inspections for Goods Lifts
Stay Compliant and safe with MW Lift Services
Goods lifts—designed exclusively for transporting items, parcels, or stock—must adhere to LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) when used in a work context. These inspections safeguard equipment integrity, staff safety, and regulatory compliance for lifts in warehouses, retail, industrial sites, or service areas.
Book a LOLER Examination now
Let MW Lift services help you with your LOLER Testing.
Does LOLER Apply to Goods Lifts?
A LOLER inspection, also known as a thorough examination, is a legally mandated, detailed evaluation conducted by a competent person.
Yes—goods-only lifts (without passenger access via internal controls) fall under LOLER when used at work. Such lifts must undergo LOLER inspections because they’re considered work equipment. If a goods lift also permits passenger activation (e.g. via internal controls), it’s classed as a passenger/goods lift and subject to more frequent inspections.
Inspection Frequency
- Goods-only lifts: every 12 months
- Passenger or passenger‑goods lifts: every 6 months
- Additional inspections required after installation, major repair, relocation, or an incident affecting safety
Schedule Your Goods Lift Inspection Today
If your goods lift is used in a commercial or workplace setting, schedule your LOLER inspection to stay compliant and safe. Trusted inspection providers offer certified engineers, site-safe practices, and comprehensive post‑inspection reports with advice and next steps.
Who Qualifies as a Competent LOLER Inspector?
A competent engineer will check and test:
Safe Working Load markings and structural integrity
Mechanical suspension, drive, gears, and braking systems
Overload protection and safety gear
Hydraulics or motor systems
Electrical components: earthing, fuses, control circuits
Condition of platforms, pit areas, guides, and car structure
Load testing if required, plus visual and functional assessments
Inspection Schedule: When & How Often
A structured inspection calendar keeps you compliant and safe:
| Equipment Type | Inspection Interval |
|---|---|
| Lifting equipment for people | Every 6 months |
| General lifting equipment | Every 12 months |
| Lifting accessories (chains, etc.) | Every 6 months |
| After damage or modification | Immediately |
This ensures timely fault detection and minimises business disruption.
MW Lift Services
Our Recent News
Our Customers Questions
LOLER Inspections for Goods Lifts
MW Lift Services delivers comprehensive LOLER Examinations and LOLER Inspections across the UK. Our experts are committed to ensuring that every lift—whether passenger, goods, service, platform, or bespoke—complies fully with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
A lift that moves goods without internal floor-selection controls or passenger access. Control is only possible from external landing panels
If an attendant can travel with goods or use internal controls, the lift is treated as a passenger or passenger-goods lift, and requires LOLER exams every 6 months
Only a competent person can conduct the formal LOLER inspection. While staff can perform daily or interim checks, they cannot sign off the statutory report.
Serious (Category A) defects must be reported immediately and the lift taken out of service. Other defects (Category B or C) must be rectified within designated timescales before re‑use.
No. LOLER inspections are statutory examinations for legal compliance. Routine servicing—under PUWER or maintenance standards—is separate and should still be scheduled at appropriate intervals (typically every 6 or 12 months depending on use).
Look for certified inspectors or firms with lift-specific qualifications, impartiality, experience with goods‑lift equipment, and capability to provide full written reports and certificates. They must not perform maintenance and inspection for the same equipment.