The Report of Thorough Examination as a Management Tool for Maintenance

Legislation in the UK (LOLER 98 [1]) demands that lifting equipment in the work place1 is subjected to a Thorough Examination periodically – usually every six months. For installations outside the work place, owners still have to satisfy the requirements of other legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to provide a safe lift. By following the same measures as those in the workplace owners will in all probability satisfy legislation. Therefore, all lift owners should regularly receive a report of Thorough Examination which will detail the findings of the examination. The study looked at the possibility of using the report as an aid to monitor the maintenance activity. It found it to be a useful tool in this respect; however a level of understanding of the report along with other information regarding the maintenance activity would be required to provide the owner with a complete and objective picture.