LOLER Inspections vs Annual Service: What’s the difference?
15 Minute Read
LOLER | Patient Handling Equipment | PPM | PUWER | Regulations | Service
Understanding the Difference
LOLER inspections and annual services both keep patient handling equipment safe and reliable, but they serve different purposes.
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LOLER inspection: A regulatory visual check by a competent person, ensuring your lifting equipment meets safety standards.
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Annual service (PPM): A comprehensive inspection under PUWER, including full functionality tests and preventative maintenance of key components.
Think of it like a car: an MOT confirms your car meets minimum safety requirements, while a full service prevents wear and keeps it in peak condition. Similarly, both LOLER inspections and annual servicing protect staff, service users, and your equipment.
What is a LOLER Inspection?
LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations These rules apply to anyone who owns, operates, or controls lifting equipment like mobile hoists, ceiling hoists, bath hoists,, and patient slings, harnesses and hoist scale attachments.
LOLER ensures equipment is:
- Fit for purpose
- Safe to use
- Clearly marked with its safe working load
- Regularly inspected
You must keep detailed records of inspections and report defects promptly. Inspections are required:
- Before first use
- After installation or relocation
- Every six months
- After significant repairs or periods of inactivity
- After incidents affecting safety
What a LOLER Inspection Involves
A LOLER inspection focuses primarily on safety. The HSE recommends inspections include:
- Visual checks for cracks, corrosion, wear, or misalignment
- Functional testing
- Measurement of wear and tear
Inspectors provide a written report highlighting unsafe equipment. Some providers, like Medaco, may also:
- Perform minor remedial work
- Verify manufacturer maintenance compliance
- Check calibration
LOLER inspections give care facilities peace of mind, regulatory compliance, and a clear record of safety checks.
What is an Annual Service?
An annual service, regulated under PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998), ensures equipment works efficiently and safely. Unlike LOLER, PUWER applies to a wider range of equipment, including:
- Profiling beds
- Assisted bathing equipment without integrated hoists
- Shower trolleys
- Couches and plinths
Annual servicing depends on:
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Usage intensity
- Environmental conditions
- User experience
- Safety risks
What an Annual Service Involves
Annual servicing is more detailed than a LOLER inspection. It includes:
Full Functionality Testing
Engineers test all equipment functions, including booms, tracks, anchor points, electrical connections, batteries, limit switches, and control boxes.
Maintenance of Key Components
Fasteners are checked and tightened, moving parts are lubricated, and worn components are replaced before failure.
Specialised Equipment Checks
For bathing systems or profiling beds, engineers calibrate thermostatic valves, test temperature controls, and ensure weighing scales meet accuracy standards.
Reporting and Load Tests
A detailed report notes equipment condition, age, and usage. Full load tests are performed where required by manufacturers and regulations.
It’s worth noting that PUWER applies to all work equipment including profiling beds, assisted bathing equipment without an integrated hoist, shower trolleys, couches and plinths. Whereas LOLER doesn’t apply to these.
Who is responsible for LOLER?
The person in the organisation who owns or rents the equipment is responsible for ensuring that LOLER inspections are completed and all the necessary paperwork is filled out and kept on file.
This responsibility can fall under several departments depending on the size and structure of the organisation. For instance, it might be the estates and facilities team, procurement, operations or even the care home manager/school business manager. It’s good practice to ensure this is clarified to all staff so that if they find equipment that is out of compliance, they know who to report this to.
When using a service provider such as Medaco, we take away the burden of managing the LOLER inspections on your assets across all sites. Service schedules are agreed upon at the start of the contract and we ensure they are maintained throughout to make sure you don’t fall out of compliance. Our scheduling team will contact you 2 weeks before your service is due, to book this in and make sure you are prepared. You will receive a copy of your reports within 24 hours and they will also be available on your customer portal for future reference.
Benefits of a LOLER Inspection
- Compliance: Meets HSE and CQC safety standards.
- Peace of Mind: Flags safety issues and protects staff and service users.
- Responsibility: The equipment owner ensures inspections occur and records are maintained.
Service providers like Medaco can manage schedules, reminders, and report delivery for all sites.
Daily Equipment Checks
Even with LOLER inspections and annual servicing, equipment can change between checks. Care staff should perform quick visual checks before every use. This routine catches small issues early, preventing incidents and ensuring equipment remains safe and functional.
Do You Need Both?
Yes.
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LOLER inspections ensure regulatory compliance and safety at set intervals.
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Annual servicing maintains performance, prevents long-term damage, and minimizes downtime.
Using both together protects equipment, keeps your facility compliant, and ensures smooth operations.
You ask – We answer
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