What does LOLER require for the inspection of lifting accessories?

LOLER Regulation 8 requires that lifting accessories are of adequate strength and stability for each load they are used to lift. Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii) specifically requires that lifting accessories are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months. The thorough examination must detect any defect which is or could become a danger to persons, and a report must be produced in the format specified by Schedule 1. The duty holder must ensure that defective accessories are removed from service until repaired or permanently withdrawn.

How often must lifting accessories be inspected under LOLER?

Lifting accessories must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months under Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii). This is the maximum statutory interval; more frequent examination may be specified by the competent person based on the risk assessment, operating environment, and type of accessory. In addition, pre-use visual checks should be performed before each lifting operation by the person attaching the load, and more detailed monthly or quarterly inspections should be carried out by trained personnel within the organisation.

What are the discard criteria for textile slings under LOLER?

While LOLER itself does not specify discard criteria, BS 8382 and manufacturer guidance provide the recognised standards. Textile slings (webbing and round slings) should be discarded if they have cuts deeper than 10% of the strap width, abrasion that exposes the core yarns, chemical contamination, heat damage causing melting or hardening, broken or loose stitching, or an illegible label. If the identification label is missing or unreadable, the sling must be immediately discarded because the SWL and material properties cannot be verified.

What is the difference between a pre-use check and a thorough examination of lifting accessories?

A pre-use check is a visual inspection carried out by the operator or slinger before each lifting operation to identify obvious defects such as cuts, broken wires, deformed shackles or illegible labels. It is quick, practical and takes only seconds per accessory. A thorough examination is a detailed, systematic assessment carried out by a competent person at statutory intervals (every six months for accessories) that may include measurement, testing and comparison against discard criteria. Only the thorough examination satisfies the LOLER Regulation 9 legal requirement and generates the formal Schedule 1 report.

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Free LOLER lifting accessories inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers Reg 8 slings, shackles, eyebolts, spreader beams and below-the-hook devices.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a loler lifting accessories inspection checklist?

A LOLER lifting accessories inspection checklist is a structured document used to verify that lifting accessories, also known as loose lifting gear, comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), specifically Regulation 8 which requires that lifting equipment, including accessories, is of adequate strength and stability for each load. Lifting accessories covered include wire rope slings, chain slings, webbing slings, round slings, shackles, eyebolts, swivels, rings, links, spreader beams, lifting beams, C-hooks, plate clamps, vacuum lifters and all other below-the-hook lifting devices. Each item is marked as satisfactory, defective or requiring discard, with space for defect descriptions and corrective actions.

Lifting accessories are the most frequently handled and most heavily used components in any lifting operation, making them particularly susceptible to wear, damage and degradation. LOLER places duties on employers to ensure that lifting accessories are suitable for the task, properly marked with their safe working load (SWL), and thoroughly examined at intervals not exceeding six months under Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii). Because accessories move between different jobs, sites and lifting equipment, they are more likely to be subjected to misuse, overloading and environmental damage than the lifting equipment they attach to. A systematic inspection checklist ensures that every accessory is individually assessed, that damaged or worn items are removed from service before they fail under load, and that the organisation maintains the records required to demonstrate compliance during HSE inspections.

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Benefits of using this loler lifting accessories inspection checklist

LOLER compliance: documented inspections of lifting accessories satisfy Regulation 8 (adequacy) and support the thorough examination programme required by Regulation 9.
Load drop prevention: identifying worn slings, deformed shackles, cracked eyebolts and stretched chain links prevents accessory failures that cause dropped loads and crush injuries.
Traceability: systematic inspection with unique identification numbers ensures that every accessory can be traced to its last examination, test certificate and maintenance history.
Discard discipline: applying consistent discard criteria (e.g., BS 8382 for textile slings, BS ISO 4309 for wire rope) ensures that accessories are removed from service at the right time.
Insurance and liability: maintaining up-to-date inspection records for all lifting accessories protects the organisation in the event of an incident investigation or insurance claim.
Operational efficiency: knowing the condition and certification status of every accessory in the fleet prevents project delays caused by discovering out-of-date or defective gear at the point of use.

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Track jurisdiction-specific inspection intervals and certification requirements.

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What to include in a loler lifting accessories inspection checklist

This loler lifting accessories inspection checklist covers 9 key areas:

Accessory identification: type (chain sling, wire rope sling, webbing sling, shackle, eyebolts, spreader beam, etc.), manufacturer, serial or identification number, SWL, grade, configuration (single leg, two-leg, four-leg, endless).
Examination details: date, competent person name and employer, examination scheme reference, reason for examination (six-monthly statutory, pre-use, post-incident, post-repair).
Wire rope slings: check for broken wires per lay length, corrosion, kinking, crushing, bird-caging, ferrule or splice integrity, thimble condition, diameter reduction against discard criteria.
Chain slings: measure for stretch against original pitch length, check for worn, twisted, nicked, gouged or corroded links, master link and coupling link condition, grade markings legible.
Webbing and round slings: check for cuts, abrasion, chemical damage, UV degradation, exposed core yarns, label legibility (SWL, material, standard, traceability code), stitching integrity.
Shackles, eyebolts and fittings: check for deformation, thread damage, correct pin type (screw pin, bolt pin, safety pin), pin engagement depth, corrosion, markings legible.
Spreader beams and below-the-hook devices: structural integrity, weld condition, suspension point wear, locking mechanisms, marking and certification.
Condition assessment: overall determination for each accessory as serviceable, requiring repair, or requiring immediate discard and destruction to prevent re-use.
Documentation: record the inspection result against the unique identification number, update the lifting accessories register, and note the next examination due date.

How to use this loler lifting accessories inspection checklist

Gather all lifting accessories from the site or store, lay them out in an organised manner and verify each one against the lifting accessories register.: Collect all slings, shackles, eyebolts, spreader beams and other accessories. Lay them out on a clean, dry surface where they can be individually examined. Cross-reference each accessory against the register to identify any items that are missing (potentially lost or in use elsewhere), any new items that have not been added to the register, and any items that are overdue for thorough examination. This step ensures no accessory is overlooked.
Inspect each wire rope sling by examining the full length of the rope, the ferrules or splices, thimbles and the overall condition against BS ISO 4309 discard criteria.: Run the rope through gloved hands to feel for broken wires, distortion and irregularities. Count broken wires per lay length and compare against the discard criteria. Check ferrule or splice integrity by looking for slippage, cracking or deformation. Inspect thimbles for distortion or looseness. Measure the rope diameter at several points and compare against the nominal diameter; discard if reduction exceeds 10%. Check for corrosion, kinking, bird-caging and heat damage. Each defect must be recorded against the sling identification number.
Inspect chain slings by measuring pitch length for stretch, examining each link for wear, deformation and corrosion, and checking fittings.: Measure the pitch length of a section of chain (typically ten links) and compare against the original pitch length from the test certificate. Discard if elongation exceeds 3% for Grade 80 chain. Examine each link for wear on the bearing surfaces, which reduces the cross-sectional area. Check for twisted, bent, nicked, gouged or corroded links. Inspect the master link, coupling links, shortening clutches and hooks for deformation, wear and correct operation. Verify that grade markings and identification tags are present and legible.
Inspect webbing slings, round slings, shackles, eyebolts and all other accessories against the relevant discard criteria and manufacturer guidance.: For textile slings, check for cuts deeper than 10% of the width, abrasion exposing core yarns, chemical staining, heat damage, label illegibility (if the label is unreadable, the sling must be discarded) and broken stitching. For shackles, check for distortion, thread damage, pin type and engagement, and markings. For eyebolts, check for thread damage, shoulder seating, angular loading restrictions and markings. For spreader beams and lifting beams, check welds, locking pins, adjusting mechanisms and pad eye wear. Record every finding against the item identification number.
Complete the inspection report, update the register, quarantine or destroy defective accessories and schedule the next examination.: For each accessory, record the determination: serviceable, requiring repair, or requiring discard. Accessories requiring discard should be physically destroyed (cut webbing, open chain links) to prevent re-use, not simply placed in a bin. Update the lifting accessories register with the inspection date, result and next due date. For the statutory six-monthly thorough examination, ensure the competent person produces the report required by LOLER Schedule 1. Deliver the report to the duty holder within 28 days.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

LOLER Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii) requires that lifting accessories are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months. This is a maximum interval; the competent person may specify shorter intervals based on the operating environment, frequency of use or the type of accessory. In harsh environments such as offshore, marine, chemical or foundry applications, more frequent examination may be necessary.

In addition to the statutory six-monthly thorough examination, lifting accessories should receive a visual pre-use inspection before each lifting operation by the person attaching the load. A more detailed monthly or quarterly inspection by a trained person within the organisation provides an additional layer of defect detection between thorough examinations. After any event that may have compromised an accessory, such as overloading, shock loading, contact with chemicals, heat exposure or being struck by a load, the accessory must be withdrawn from service and examined by a competent person before being returned to use.

Frequently asked questions

What does LOLER require for the inspection of lifting accessories?: LOLER Regulation 8 requires that lifting accessories are of adequate strength and stability for each load they are used to lift. Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii) specifically requires that lifting accessories are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months. The thorough examination must detect any defect which is or could become a danger to persons, and a report must be produced in the format specified by Schedule 1. The duty holder must ensure that defective accessories are removed from service until repaired or permanently withdrawn.
How often must lifting accessories be inspected under LOLER?: Lifting accessories must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months under Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii). This is the maximum statutory interval; more frequent examination may be specified by the competent person based on the risk assessment, operating environment, and type of accessory. In addition, pre-use visual checks should be performed before each lifting operation by the person attaching the load, and more detailed monthly or quarterly inspections should be carried out by trained personnel within the organisation.
What are the discard criteria for textile slings under LOLER?: While LOLER itself does not specify discard criteria, BS 8382 and manufacturer guidance provide the recognised standards. Textile slings (webbing and round slings) should be discarded if they have cuts deeper than 10% of the strap width, abrasion that exposes the core yarns, chemical contamination, heat damage causing melting or hardening, broken or loose stitching, or an illegible label. If the identification label is missing or unreadable, the sling must be immediately discarded because the SWL and material properties cannot be verified.
What is the difference between a pre-use check and a thorough examination of lifting accessories?: A pre-use check is a visual inspection carried out by the operator or slinger before each lifting operation to identify obvious defects such as cuts, broken wires, deformed shackles or illegible labels. It is quick, practical and takes only seconds per accessory. A thorough examination is a detailed, systematic assessment carried out by a competent person at statutory intervals (every six months for accessories) that may include measurement, testing and comparison against discard criteria. Only the thorough examination satisfies the LOLER Regulation 9 legal requirement and generates the formal Schedule 1 report.
Is this LOLER lifting accessories inspection checklist free?: Yes. Download and use this LOLER lifting accessories inspection checklist at no cost. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF for a paper copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital lifting accessory inspections on mobile with unique ID scanning, photo capture, discard tracking and six-monthly examination scheduling per accessory, MapTrack can do that. Book a demo to see how it works.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), Regulation 8
LOLER 1998, Regulation 9(3)(a)(ii) (Six-monthly thorough examination for accessories)
BS 8382 (Lifting slings, inspection and discard criteria)
BS ISO 4309 (Wire ropes, care, maintenance, installation and discard)

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