Thorough Examination Inspections (Incorporating Loler & Puwer Regulations)

A Thorough Examination is a statutory requirement for lifting equipment under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98), Regulation 9. It has the same purpose as an MOT inspection, by providing a report which identifies that the lifting equipment is safe to use and/or advice that needs to be followed to avoid risks in use. It is just as important as an MOT – probably more so! There is a legal requirement for a Thorough Examination to be carried out on forklift trucks at least once a year, and often more frequently depending on conditions of use.

Although a Thorough Examination for a forklift truck is like an MOT test for a car or lorry, it is not valid for a set period of time. This is because different operational conditions can impact how quickly important components wear out. For example, the wear on a truck being used in cement works is very different to that of a truck in a standard warehouse.

Yes, there are two pieces of legislation that make thorough examinations a legal requirement. All forklifts must comply with LOLER and PUWER regulations, and we provide fully accredited examinations of all forklift machinery – giving you peace of mind and helping you fulfil your legal obligations.

If the examination identifies a problem, the severity of the issue will determine the next steps. 

If safety is not affected, a Report of Thorough Examination can still be issued. However, it will be accompanied by a date by which the issues must be fixed.

If the defects are deemed to be dangerous, then the forklift must not be used until the issue has been fixed. Failure to comply can result in prosecution, so it’s important that you arrange repairs as soon as possible. 

At East Midlands Forklifts, we also offer a comprehensive forklift repair service that will restore your machine to the best condition.

Yes, a thorough examination is required every 12 months regardless of any servicing that has taken place. This is to ensure the forklift is in a safe condition to use. In some instances, they may be required every four or six months depending on what the machine is being used for, the intensity of use and the type of attachments it has in place.

Thorough examinations are much more diverse than other vehicle tests, such as car MOTs, and this is why there is never a fixed price. 

There are a range of factors that dictate the price of a thorough examination. As the inspector must come to your site, the distance involved in travelling will play a part in how much it costs. Furthermore, depending on the type of forklift being inspected, the time the exam takes will also vary considerably. The longer the exam takes, the more it is likely to cost.

Yes, our inspectors will always come to your site to carry out the examination and we work across Derby, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and the surrounding areas of the East Midlands.