Tail lift broken down? 24/7 emergency mobile engineers nationwide.
Call 01279 888318Guide · Tail Lift Compliance
They sound similar and are often booked together, but a LOLER thorough examination and a tail lift service do two very different jobs. One keeps you legal, the other keeps you moving. Here is the difference in plain English.
LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. A tail lift is lifting equipment, so it must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at set intervals. The examination checks the structure, hydraulics, controls and safety devices, and includes a weight test to the rated capacity. You are issued a report of thorough examination that must be kept and produced on request.
A service is preventative maintenance. An engineer changes hydraulic oil and filters, greases pivots, checks rams, seals, hoses, wiring, batteries and platform condition, then adjusts and tests the lift. Servicing does not produce a LOLER certificate, but it is what stops small faults turning into roadside breakdowns and LOLER failures.
| LOLER inspection | Tail lift servicing | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A legal thorough examination of lifting equipment under LOLER 1998. | Planned mechanical maintenance to keep the tail lift running reliably. |
| Is it a legal requirement? | Yes. Required by law for tail lifts used at work. | Not a legal duty in itself, but needed to meet PUWER and keep equipment safe. |
| How often | Every 6 months for lifting people, at least 12 months for goods only. | Typically every 6 months, or in line with the manufacturer schedule and usage. |
| Who carries it out | A competent person carrying out an independent examination. | A qualified tail lift engineer. |
| Paperwork produced | A report of thorough examination and a LOLER certificate to keep on file. | A service record and job sheet listing work completed and parts fitted. |
| Typical work involved | Visual and functional checks, structural inspection, weight test to rated capacity. | Hydraulic oil and filters, greasing, seals, hoses, ram checks, electrics, adjustments. |
| Our price | £60 for LOLER inspection and weight test. | Labour £45 per hour, or £40 per hour for account holders, plus parts. |
Book them together. A combined visit means one vehicle downtime slot: the service puts the lift in good order, the LOLER thorough examination and weight test then certifies it. Our mobile engineers cover the whole of the UK, carry common parts on the van and can repair defects on the spot rather than leaving you with a failed report and a second appointment.
Call the team for tail lift repairs, LOLER inspections or 24 hour emergency breakdown cover anywhere in the UK.
