Lift Maintenance

Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), passenger lifts must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months, and goods-only lifts at least every twelve months. A written report must be kept at least until the next examination as evidence of compliance.

LOLER and PUWER: what’s the difference?

Two regulations apply to commercial lifts, and buyers often confuse them. LOLER (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) sets the periodic thorough examination: a formal inspection by a competent person, independent of whoever maintains the lift day to day, at least every six months for passenger lifts and every twelve months for goods-only lifts.

PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) is broader. It places a general duty on the building owner to keep the lift in efficient working order, maintained, and with an up-to-date maintenance log, regardless of whether a thorough examination is currently due.

PUWER is the ongoing duty to keep the lift safe to use. LOLER is the periodic check that confirms it still is.

What a LOLER thorough examination covers

A thorough examination is a formal inspection, not a quick visual check. Our engineers examine the safety-critical components, such as safety devices, suspension or hydraulic system, drive and control gear, and door interlocks, against the manufacturer’s specification and the relevant standard.

Any defect found is classified in the written report as requiring immediate rectification before the lift returns to service, or remedial action within a defined timescale. The report must be kept at least until the next examination report is made, or for two years (whichever is longer), as your compliance record.

If your examination identifies a defect, the remedial repair itself is carried out under our lift repair service. The two are connected but separate: this page covers the planned examination, and lift repair covers the work that follows if something needs fixing.

Lift types covered

Our maintenance contracts cover:

• Passenger lifts, including traction, hydraulic, and MRL (machine room less) systems
• Goods lifts used for freight and materials handling
• Platform lifts for step-free access

Most lifts in a workplace fall under LOLER. Platform lifts used solely for public or customer access, rather than by people at work, may sit outside LOLER, but should still be examined to the same standard as good practice. We will confirm which regime applies to your lift.

For service lifts, dumbwaiters, and food hoists, or for a one-off repair on a lift type not listed here, see our lift repair service. If you are unsure whether your lift is covered, contact us with the make, model, and configuration and we will confirm.

Choosing the right contract tier

We offer three tiers, so you’re not paying for cover you don’t need, or under-covered on a lift that carries higher risk. The right choice comes down to how heavily the lift is used and how much budget certainty you want.

Annual maintenance

Suited to low-traffic or single-lift sites. Covers the LOLER thorough examination at the required interval, a visual and functional check, and your compliance documentation. The right tier if your lift sees light use and you want to meet your statutory obligation cleanly.

Standard commercial

Our most common contract, for typical commercial buildings. Adds planned maintenance visits between examinations and priority booking for reactive call-outs, so developing faults are caught earlier rather than at the next examination.

Comprehensive cover

Adds parts and labour cover for most faults arising during the contract term. The right tier for higher-use lifts, or where budget certainty matters more than paying per repair as faults occur.

When to refurbish rather than replace

With regular maintenance, a commercial lift can reasonably be expected to run for up to 25 years, though faults tend to become more frequent towards the end of that range. Three things usually decide whether a refurbishment makes more sense than a full replacement:

• How often the lift is breaking down, and whether faults are becoming more frequent
• Whether replacement parts for the existing system are still readily available
• Whether refurbishing the controls and doors would bring the lift up to current standard without the cost and disruption of a full replacement

If your lift is approaching this point, raise it with us at your next maintenance visit. We’ll give you an honest assessment, not steer you toward the more expensive option.

How we support you

Lift maintenance is delivered through a PPM and compliance contract, scheduled in advance so your thorough examination is never missed. You receive automatic scheduling, detailed service records, and access to a customer portal for reports, visit schedules, and site documentation.

If a fault occurs between visits, that is handled through our lift repair service, with priority attendance and preferential rates for contract customers. For an urgent response outside business hours, or if someone is trapped, PPM contract customers also have access to our 24/7/365 out-of-hours facility.

Robinsons Facilities Services is SafeContractor approved and holds UKAS ISO 9001 certification. We maintain lifts as part of wider facilities management contracts for property managers, multi-academy trusts, healthcare providers, and commercial building owners across Yorkshire and the Humber.