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Lesson 3 of 7Safety and the law

How to read a LOLER report.

The report of thorough examination is the legal record of your lift’s condition. Here is what each section means, how to read the defects and what to do when a report arrives.

Durant Lifts engineering teamUpdated 8 min read

What the report is.

After a thorough examination, the competent person who carried it out must make a written report. It goes to the employer the examination was made for, usually the dutyholder for the lift, and to any company the lift is hired or leased from.

The examiner must authenticate the report by signature or an equally secure means, so an electronic report is fine. There is no official form. HSE says any layout is acceptable provided the report contains all 11 items listed in Schedule 1 of LOLER, and advises that you should not accept a report that leaves any of them out.

The law

The person making a thorough examination must, “as soon as is practicable make a report of the thorough examination in writing authenticated by him or on his behalf by signature or equally secure means and containing the information specified in Schedule 1”.

LOLER 1998, regulation 10(1)(b)

The report, section by section.

This illustrative report contains the information Schedule 1 requires, in a typical order. Select a number to see what each section means and what to check.

Report of thorough examination

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

Illustrative example

Employer
[Employer name and address]
Premises
[Site address]
Equipment
Passenger lift [lift number], serial [number], manufactured [year, if known]
Last thorough examination
7 April 2026
Safe working load
630 kg (8 persons)
Type of examination
In service, within an interval of 6 months
Safe to operate
Yes, subject to the defect below being remedied by the date given
Defects that are a danger
None found
Defects that could become a danger
Floor 3 landing door interlock: contacts worn. Replace the contacts by 6 November 2026.
Observations
Pit light lamp failed. Not a statutory defect; replacement recommended.
Tests
None carried out at this examination
Examination dates
Examined 6 October 2026. Next thorough examination due by 6 April 2027.
Report made by
[Examiner name, qualifications and employer]. Report dated 9 October 2026.
An illustrative report of thorough examination for a passenger lift. Layouts vary between examining bodies; what matters is that all the information is there.

  1. Employer

    Schedule 1, paragraph 1. The name and address of the employer the examination was made for, usually the dutyholder for the lift. Check it names your organisation, not a previous owner or managing agent.

  2. Premises

    Paragraph 2. The address where the examination took place. On a site with several buildings or lifts, check the report is for the right one.

  3. Equipment

    Paragraph 3. Details that identify the lift, such as its lift number and serial number, and its date of manufacture where known. Check they match your own records.

  4. Last thorough examination

    Paragraph 4. The date of the previous thorough examination. A long gap since the last one may mean an examination was missed.

  5. Safe working load

    Paragraph 5. The maximum load the lift was examined for. On a passenger lift it should match the rated load on the plate in the car.

  6. Type of examination

    Paragraphs 6 and 7. Whether this is the first examination after installation or an in-service one, and on what basis: within 6 months, within 12 months, under an examination scheme, or after exceptional circumstances such as damage.

  7. Safe to operate

    Paragraphs 6 and 7. The examiner’s statement that the lift would be safe to operate, where that is the case. If the statement is qualified, read it together with the defects and their deadlines.

  8. Defects that are a danger

    Paragraph 8(a) and (b). Defects that are a danger to people now, with the repair needed. The examiner must tell you straight away, and the lift must not be used until the defect is put right.

  9. Defects that could become a danger

    Paragraph 8(c). Defects that are not dangerous yet, with the time by which they could become so and the repair needed. The lift must not be used after that time until the repair is done, so book it now.

  10. Observations

    Many reports add observations or recommendations that are not defects under LOLER. They carry no legal deadline, but they are often early signs of wear and worth raising with your maintenance provider.

  11. Tests

    Paragraph 8(e). Details of any tests carried out as part of the examination. An examiner may also ask for supplementary tests, such as a load test, to support a future examination.

  12. Examination dates

    Paragraph 8(d) and (f). The date of this examination and the latest date by which the next one must be carried out. Put the due date in your diary and arrange access in good time.

  13. Report made by

    Paragraphs 9 to 11. The name, address and qualifications of the person who made the report, whether they are self-employed or who employs them, anyone who authenticated it on their behalf, and the date of the report.

Reading the defects.

LOLER recognises two kinds of defect. A defect that is a danger to people now means the lift must not be used until it is put right. A defect that is not yet dangerous but could become so comes with a time by which it could become dangerous, and the lift must not be used after that time until the repair is done.

For both kinds, the examiner must tell you straight away, without waiting for the written report. If a defect involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, the examiner must also send a copy of the report to the enforcing authority: HSE if the lift is hired or leased, otherwise the authority for the premises, which may be HSE or the local authority.

Examining bodies often use their own categories or codes for defects, so read the key on your report and ask the examiner if anything is unclear. Many reports also list observations that are not defects under LOLER. They carry no legal deadline, but they are worth discussing with your maintenance provider.

When a report arrives

  1. Check it is complete

    Make sure it names your organisation and the right lift, and that it contains all the information Schedule 1 requires.

  2. Act on any immediate danger

    If a defect is a danger now, keep the lift out of use until it is put right. The examiner should already have told you.

  3. Book repairs before the deadline

    Send defects with a deadline to your maintenance provider straight away, so the work is done before the date on the report.

  4. Record the close-out

    Keep evidence that each defect was put right, such as the engineer’s job sheet, with the report.

  5. Diary the next examination

    Note the latest date for the next thorough examination and arrange access in good time.

If you need an examination arranged, our LOLER inspections page explains how we arrange examinations and help with the work that follows.

When the report should arrive.

The law says the report must be made as soon as is practicable. HSE’s guidance for lift owners says this should normally be within 28 days, and much sooner if there is a serious defect. Defects that are or could become dangerous must be reported to you straight away. Our compliance resources set out the documents to keep and the reporting timescales.

Lifts that carry people are normally examined at least every 6 months, and goods-only lifts every 12 months, unless a competent person’s examination scheme specifies other intervals. An extra examination is needed after exceptional circumstances, such as damage or a long period out of use. Our guide to LOLER explains the intervals in more detail.

How long to keep reports.

  • Keep each routine report until the next one is made, or for two years, whichever is later.
  • Keep the report of the first examination after installation for as long as you use the lift at that site.
  • Reports can be kept electronically, as long as they are protected from unauthorised changes and you can produce a written copy when needed.

Keeping older reports as well, with evidence of the repairs, shows how the lift is ageing and which defects keep coming back. That history helps when planning repairs or a modernisation.

Is there a LOLER certificate?

No. LOLER requires a report of thorough examination, not a certificate. When someone asks for a LOLER certificate, they usually mean the latest report, together with evidence that any defects on it have been put right.

Not legal advice

This lesson explains the law in plain English. For decisions about a particular lift, rely on your competent person and, where needed, legal advice.

Check your understanding.

Three quick questions on this lesson. Choose an answer to check it, or open the answer below each question.

  1. A report lists a defect that could become a danger, to be repaired by 6 November 2026. What does that mean?

    1. The lift must be taken out of service straight away
    2. The lift must not be used after 6 November 2026 until the repair is done
    3. The repair is optional while the lift keeps working
    Show the answer

    B. The lift must not be used after 6 November 2026 until the repair is done. Under regulation 10(3) of LOLER, the lift must not be used after the time given in the report until the defect is put right. Book the repair now so it is done before the deadline.

  2. How long should you keep the report of a routine thorough examination?

    1. Until the next maintenance visit
    2. Until the next report is made, or for two years if that is later
    3. For six months
    Show the answer

    B. Until the next report is made, or for two years if that is later. Regulation 11 of LOLER requires routine reports to be kept until the next report is made or for two years, whichever is later.

  3. Does a LOLER report have to be on a particular form?

    1. Yes, an official HSE form
    2. No, any format is acceptable if it contains all the information Schedule 1 requires
    3. Yes, it must be called a LOLER certificate
    Show the answer

    B. No, any format is acceptable if it contains all the information Schedule 1 requires. HSE says there is no longer a defined format or form for the report, provided all 11 items listed in Schedule 1 are included.

Sources.

The primary sources for this lesson. We checked them when the lesson was last updated on 18 October 2026. How we research and check our lessons.

  1. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 9legislation.gov.uk. When thorough examinations are needed.
  2. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 10legislation.gov.uk. What the examiner must report, to whom, and what happens to a lift with a defect.
  4. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, Schedule 1legislation.gov.uk. The 11 items every report must contain.
  5. Thorough examination and testing of lifts (INDG339)Health and Safety Executive. Guidance for lift owners, including when to expect the report.
  6. Safe use of lifting equipment (L113)Health and Safety Executive. The Approved Code of Practice and guidance on LOLER.
  7. Thorough examination of lifting equipmentHealth and Safety Executive. Why there is no set form for the report.

Keep learning.

Related reading

LOLER explainedWhat LOLER means for lift ownersLOLER inspectionsIndependent examinations across London and KentCompliance resourcesDocument checklists and reporting timescalesLOLER for property managersA practical guide to inspections and recordsSupplementary tests and load testingWhen an examiner asks for extra testsParts of a liftThe parts an examiner looks at

A report to act on?

Talk to us about the defects on your report, the repairs they need or your next examination.

Talk to an engineer020 3488 4226

Common questions.

Quick answers to common questions about this topic.

What is a LOLER report?

A LOLER report, or report of thorough examination, is the written report a competent person must make after thoroughly examining a lift under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It records the lift’s details, any defects found, what must be done about them and when the next examination is due.

Is there such a thing as a LOLER certificate?

No. LOLER requires a written report of thorough examination rather than a certificate. When someone asks for a LOLER certificate, they usually mean the latest report and evidence that any defects on it have been put right.

How soon should I receive the report?

The law says as soon as is practicable. HSE guidance says this should normally be within 28 days, and much sooner if there is a serious defect. The examiner must tell you about dangerous defects straight away.

What should I do if the report lists defects?

If a defect is a danger now, keep the lift out of use until it is put right. For defects with a deadline, arrange the repair before the date on the report. Keep evidence that each defect was put right with the report.

How long should I keep LOLER reports?

Keep each routine report until the next one is made, or for two years, whichever is later. Keep the report of the first examination after installation for as long as you use the lift at that site. Keeping older reports as well helps show trends.