What Happens If You Miss a LOLER Inspection?
LOLER inspections are a legal requirement for businesses that operate lifting equipment—but what happens if one gets missed? Whether it’s an oversight or an operational delay, skipping a scheduled inspection can have real consequences.
1. Legal Non-Compliance
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) is part of UK health and safety law. Failure to comply is a breach of legislation—and that means fines, enforcement notices, or prosecution. Even if no accident occurs, just being out of date is enough to trigger penalties during an inspection by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive).
2. Insurance Risks
Most business insurance policies are conditional on meeting all legal safety requirements. If your lifting equipment hasn’t had its required LOLER examination, your insurer could reject a claim—even in cases of damage or injury. Missing a single inspection could result in significant financial loss.
3. Operational Downtime
If a LOLER certificate expires, that piece of equipment must be removed from service until it passes a new inspection. For many businesses, especially in construction, warehousing, or logistics, this can grind operations to a halt. Planned inspections help avoid this kind of costly disruption.
4. Safety Hazards
Above all, LOLER exists to protect people. Lifting equipment that goes unchecked can develop faults, wear, or hidden damage—all of which increase the risk of failure. A missed inspection could leave staff at risk of serious injury, or worse.
What You Can Do
• Check Your Records: Ensure all equipment has an active, up-to-date LOLER certificate.
• Set Reminders: Use a digital system (or work with a provider like Swift Powered Access) to receive automatic alerts before expiry.
• Book in Advance: Demand for inspections can be high—don’t leave it until the last minute.
Don’t leave compliance to chance. A missed LOLER inspection isn’t just a paperwork issue—it’s a safety and legal risk. Book today and stay protected.
