LOLER & PUWER equipment guide

Forklift LOLER Inspection & Thorough Examination

Independent forklift LOLER inspections and PUWER checks across Scotland. Thorough examination of forks, chains, mast, carriage and safety devices.

Inspection basis

What duty holders need to know.

Forklift trucks are both lifting equipment and work equipment. The lifting assembly falls within LOLER, while the truck, controls, guarding and wider condition are addressed through PUWER. Treating the two duties separately helps prevent a service or MOT-style check being mistaken for a statutory thorough examination.

The user of the truck must make sure a current Report of Thorough Examination is available, including where the forklift is hired. The examination should be sufficiently independent of routine maintenance to support objective judgement.

Check the relevant HSE guidance ↗
Examination scope

What we examine on forklift trucks.

The final scope depends on design, use and condition. These are the components and records commonly considered.

  • Forks, heels and locking devices
  • Mast, carriage and rollers
  • Lift chains and anchorages
  • Hydraulic cylinders, hoses and leaks
  • Rated-capacity plate and identification
  • Tilt, lift and attachment functions
  • Safety devices and warning systems
  • Attachments used with the truck
Typical findings

Problems the examination may identify.

  • Fork heel wear or unequal fork height
  • Damaged chain links or poor chain adjustment
  • Hydraulic leakage around lift components
  • Missing or illegible capacity information
  • Loose carriage rollers or mast damage
  • Unrecorded attachments changing capacity

Book a forklift trucks inspection

Tell us what equipment you operate, where it is and when it is due. We will confirm the right inspection scope and arrange a practical site date.

FAQs

Forklift trucks inspection FAQs

Does a forklift need both LOLER and PUWER inspection?
Often, yes. LOLER applies to the lifting function and PUWER applies to the truck as work equipment. A competent person may cover both during one planned attendance where they have the necessary competence.
Does routine servicing count as a LOLER inspection?
No. Servicing and thorough examination serve different purposes. Maintenance can inform the examiner, but it does not replace the independent, systematic examination and statutory report.
Do forklift attachments need examining?
Attachments that form part of the lifting system should be identified and included. They can change the rated capacity and must be compatible with the truck and its capacity information.