I’ve been talking to a lot of suppliers and can’t get a satisfactory answer to what I thought was a simple question. What’s the difference between lifting equipment inspection and thorough examination?

Can you help and can you recommend someone in the south of England that can provide thorough examination service?

Many thanks

Fen

My two pence's worth (which holds no weight): I would imagine an inspection just checks the equipment (chains) is visually in good order, while a thorough examination actually tests the equipment - but then again I have seen thorough examinations certs given by just a visual check.

Maybe it is to do with the competency of the person i.e. a slinger/signaller hasn't the training to give a thorough examination.

I will watch this thread with interest.

I believe a thorough examination is a legal requirement and is specified in legislation such as LOLER and PUWER as needing to be carried out within specific timeframes. Additional inspections are best practice and would be recommended to ensure the equipment does not deteriorate between examinations. After all, just because a thorough examination was carried out yesterday and everything was fine, does not prevent somebody having a collision in a forklift today and not reporting it. The assumption tomorrow would be that everything is fine because the examination is valid. If you carried out a daily check hwoever you would hopefully identify any faults/damage. The daily/weekly inspections would not be as thorough but would certainly help reduce the dangers of assumption.

legally, a thorough inspection covers the maintenance that is required under LOLER regs, while a general inspection does not.

Not the building insurers. More likely the liability insurers. In any event, this is an area that your insurance broker should be advising on.

Alternatively there are independant companies providing this service but I have no advice on how to verify their competence.

Hi Fen,

Quite a long Answer here - The first small quirke is that an Inspection under PUWER 98 is a different entity to one under LOLER98. Similarly, a Thorough Examination under LOLER 98 differs quite markedly from one under PUWER 98. They have to all intents and purposes reciprocal brevity.

All this is to say Inspection (PUWER) and Thorough Examination (LOLER) = Highest requirement for levels of competence on those tasked to conduct.

Examination (PUWER) Inspection (LOLER) = lower level of competence required - but higher than that of the operative.

I do regret to say that there are so many people who are unaware of the above to the extent that literature will mix the two terms leading to confusion. Be aware though that if you pay for an inspection then that is what you will receive be sure that reports issued make reference to both Reg 9 & 10 of LOLER 98 or Reg 6 PUWER 98. 3w testcertuk provide clear input and reports on this.

Fen

Lots of different answers. However to break it down into simple terms as I recall:

An inspection is usually, but not always a visual check as to the servicability of the equipment as a whole and where the equipment is not used for lifting persons, is carried out at 6 monthly between the Thorough
Examination(s).

A Thorough Examination involves a much more detailed check of the equipment and its components, it often involves dissassemby of component parts such as SLI etc. Equipment used for materials only require them at 12 monthly intervals and equipment used to lift persons require them at 6 monthly intervals. Hence the reason goods only lifts state not to be used for lifting persons.

Hope this helps.

If not contact me and I will try and dig out some more info - Course notes etc.

Regards

Clive

Fen have PM you with a company to contact.

Regards Alex

It would do to my knowledge, but if you want to be further assured just ask them the question

amorris,

I provide PUWER assessments for most lifting equipment and use that assessment to ensure compliance with PUWER regs 8 & 9 which requires detail with regard to training, training records, authorised user lists, young and inexperienced users; and PUWER regs 11 & 12 to identify dangerous parts and controls; and PUWER regs 14 to 18 with regard to the controls systems, on/off switches, e-stops, stopping in a safe manner; and PUWER regs 23 & 24 markings, mandatory and warning signs.

JohnW