If you own or manage a building with a lift, inspections are part of the responsibility. They can feel like paperwork, but they exist to keep passengers safe and to catch problems before they turn into breakdowns.
Many building owners mix up inspections with servicing. Both matter, though they do different jobs. Here’s a clear look at how lift safety inspections work and where regular servicing fits in.
LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It applies to lifts used at work, which covers most commercial buildings, offices, shops, and many residential blocks with communal areas.
Under LOLER, a lift must have a thorough examination by a competent person at set intervals. This is often an engineer working on behalf of your insurer. Their job is to check the lift is safe to use and to report any defects.
Passenger lifts need a thorough examination at least every six months. Lifts that only carry goods can usually go 12 months between examinations, unless a written scheme of examination sets a different schedule.
An extra examination may also be needed after major repairs or changes to the lift. The same applies if something happens that could affect its safety, such as a long period out of use.
The duty sits with whoever is responsible for the lift, usually the owner, landlord, or managing agent. You need to make sure examinations happen on time and keep a copy of every report.
If the examiner finds a defect, the report will say how urgent it is. Some issues need fixing within a set period. Serious defects can mean the lift has to come out of service straight away until it’s put right.
Falling behind on inspections can leave you exposed if something goes wrong. It can also cause trouble with your insurance cover.
A LOLER examination checks the lift’s condition on the day. It doesn’t include the routine work that keeps a lift running well between visits.
That’s where commercial lift servicing comes in. Regular servicing covers lubrication, adjustments, and early replacement of worn parts. A well-maintained lift is far more likely to pass its examination without any surprises.
When an inspection does flag a problem, having an engineer already familiar with your lift makes the fix quicker. Our lift repair team can work through defects listed in a report and get your lift back in use.
Older lifts tend to pick up more defects at each examination. Parts can become harder to source, and repeated repairs start to add up.
In some cases, it makes more sense to update key components rather than keep patching them. We covered this in our post on modernising a lift without replacing the entire system.
At Paragon, we look after lifts and elevators across Hull, Yorkshire, and the wider UK. We can set up a servicing schedule that keeps your lift in good shape ahead of each thorough examination.
If your last report flagged any defects, or you’re unsure when your next inspection is due, we’re happy to help. Get in touch with our team today to arrange a visit.
