LOLER Inspections for Arborists & Tree Surgeons — Greater Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire  

Urban Tree Management carries out LOLER inspections for arboricultural contractors of all sizes, from sole traders and small teams to larger organisations with multiple operatives and extensive kit bags. We also inspect equipment for ecologists, conservation organisations, estate and forestry operatives, housing associations, local authorities, utility contractors, and environmental consultancies — any organisation whose staff use arboricultural or rope-access lifting equipment in the course of their work.

Following each thorough examination, a LOLER certificate is produced as a PDF report for every item inspected. The certificate records the date of first inspection, the date of the current examination, the date the next thorough inspection is due, and the date the report was produced. It also includes the details of each item — including date of manufacture, identification number or code, size, and safe working load — along with a record of any defects or safety issues identified and a clear pass or fail determination for each item.

To ensure your inspection runs smoothly and all items can be assessed, please bring your original manufacturer's instructions for each item to be inspected. Ensure all material items carry their original markings — any item without markings cannot be inspected. If you have cut ropes, keep the cut ends so markings can be matched and a clear link established between both parts.

All equipment should be clean, dry, and free from debris before presenting for inspection, and all items should be fully disassembled with knots undone. Please include only LOLER items in your kit bag — wedges, spikes, saws, throwlines, and similar items are not subject to LOLER and should be kept separate.

Failed Items and Re-Inspection

Some items may fail inspection due to faulty or unsafe consumable parts, or because they require a service or repair before they can be certified safe for use. Common reasons for failure include a delaminated or aged harness bridge, a rope grab with a missing or worn safety wire, a rope showing abrasion, flattening, or heat damage, a karabiner requiring servicing, lubrication, or showing deformation or gate mechanism issues, or equipment that has been contaminated with chemicals or fuel. If an item fails, it will be clearly marked as failed on the LOLER certificate.

Once the item has been corrected or repaired it can be brought back for a second inspection and a new certificate will be issued for the repaired items at an additional cost.