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Lifting equipment inspection checklist

About the Lifting equipment inspection checklist

Routine inspections are vital for ensuring the safety and efficiency of lifting equipment across industries like construction, manufacturing, and logistics. A lifting equipment inspection checklist helps you simplify inspections and maintain compliance while reducing risks. With this template, you can track key details like safety labels, operational responses, and load-bearing conditions so that your team is always equipped with reliable, up-to-date tools.

Essential checklist for safe and effective lifting equipment inspections

Regular inspections help ensure that all lifting operations are conducted safely and that equipment is in good working condition. A comprehensive lifting equipment inspection checklist should be used to document the inspection process and identify any potential hazards.

Inspectors should look for signs of wear, tear, or damage on the equipment and document it, as well as defective parts or components. Any damaged or worn parts should be replaced before the equipment is used. The inspector should also check the lifting mechanisms for proper operation. This includes examining the hoisting and latching mechanisms, as well as checking the structural integrity of the lifting equipment.

By utilizing the lifting equipment inspection checklist, inspectors can help ensure that all lifting operations are conducted safely and that equipment is in good working condition.

How to use the lifting equipment inspection checklist

Here’s how to use the checklist to conduct thorough inspections:

Set up the checklist for your team. Start by customizing the checklist to fit your equipment and operational needs. Update fields like load characteristics or proximity hazards to reflect your specific environment. Assign it to team members responsible for inspections via your app or print copies for on-site use.
Inspect general and safety information first. Begin by filling out details like equipment type, operator ergonomics, and working conditions. This foundational data helps identify early mismatches between equipment and intended use, avoiding potential risks down the line.
Evaluate positioning and stability during use. Carefully assess the equipment’s location, including collision risks and headroom. If the equipment moves on fixed paths, confirm protective enclosures are in place.
Document findings and assign follow-ups. Record issues, risks, or irregularities in the comments section. Attach photos for clarity and assign action tasks to team members, like scheduling repairs or ordering replacement straps.
Review and track inspection trends. Regularly review completed checklists to identify recurring issues. Use this data to refine processes, retrain staff, or make equipment upgrades that improve safety and efficiency.

Download Lumiform’s lifting equipment inspection checklist today

From visual checks to operational tests, this template keeps your team aligned and your equipment in top shape. Its intuitive structure lets you focus on what matters—safety and performance—without getting bogged down in manual processes.With a tool designed to fit your workflow, you can quickly conduct thorough inspections, track findings, and plan follow-ups seamlessly.

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Preview of the template

Lifting Equipment Inspection Checklist

General

Person conducting inspection

Date & Time

Use of Eqipment

How often will the equipment be used?

Where will the equipment be used?

What are the nature and characteristics of the intended load?

Intended loads will be different from day to day

Most of the loads will be relatively light but non-normal shapes

Loads will be carried over short distances but in highly trafficked areas

What is the safe working load of the equipment?

Suitability of Equipment

Is the equipment ergonomic for its intended operator?

Has the equipment undergone a PUWER risk assessment?

Is the equipment suitable for its intended purpose?

Is the equipment made from materials that are suitable for the conditions it will be used in?

Positioning and Installing

Is the equipment installed or positioned in such a way that they need to lift or suspend loads above people is minimized?

If it moves along a fixed path, is the load/equipment protected by a suitable enclosure?

Is access to trapping points closed off or are trapping points prevented altogether?

Is there enough headroom for assessing/egressing the sit of operations so to safely position and install the equipment?

If more than one piece of lifting equipment is in use within close proximity, is the risk of collision of the equipment or loads prevented?

Have measures been taken to prevent people from falling down shafts or hoistways?

Are suitable barriers or gates in place (at least 2m in height) for preventing people from gaining access to lifting operations sites?

Are proximity hazards, e.g. nearby buildings and structures, taken into account?

Is there a 6m exclusion zone in place where it's possible someone could be struck whilst working near a crane's wheel tracks?

If the lifting equipment cannot be positioned in such a way that the operator has a full view of the path, is there a banksman to guide them?

Strengthen and Stability

Is the equipment capable of lifting the load (refer to the Saf Working Load)?

Has the environment been taken into account? For example, sloped surfaces, uneven terrain, weather conditions, etc.

Is the equipment stable and are measures taken to prevent destabilization if certain factors my compromise it, e.g terrain?

Have measures been taken to prevent overturning?

Have the mounting or fixing points been taken into account?

Is dragging of loads not permitted when it could cause damage or overturning to the equipment?

Organization of Lifting Operations

Are all lifting operations thoroughly planned beforehand?

Does the plan cover everyone's responsibilities, the resources needed for the operation, and what should be done if adverse conditions develop, e.g. high winds or significantly reduced visibility?

Are all lifting operations suitably supervised?

Have signals and/or verbal communication been established between those involved in the operation?

Does the competent person know how to derate equipment when necessary?

Is there a system in place for ensuring the safe lifting and handling of loads with unknown weights?

When testing of equipment is carried out, e.g. overloading, is the surrounding area clear and are only workers necessary to the task involved?

Marking Lifting Equipment

Is the safe working load for each configuration of equipment clearly marked or labeled somewhere?

Are accessories (which can be kept separate from their equipment) marked or labeled to specify which equipment they're for?

If lifting accessories and/or their configuration may affect the safe working load equipment, is this marked or labeled somewhere?

Equipment for Lifting People

Is the equipment used for lifting people clearly marked to distinguish that it is for this purpose, the number of people it can carry, and the safe working load?

Does the person being lifted have a suitable way of communicating with the operator or some else involved in the operation?

Are there a suitable and reliable means of rescue in the instance emergency of failure?

Are additional precautions taken where necessary to ensure the safety of people being lifted, e.g. the use of harnesses?

Is the platform or hoist of adequate size and strength tp accommodate the person(s) who will be using them?

Is edge protection provided where necessary (typically if fall areas exceed 2m), e.g., gates and barriers (that open inward)?

Attaching, Detaching, and Securing Loads

Are lifting accessories used compatible with the intended load?

Does the operator wait for authorization to begin lifting operations once the load handler has attached or detached a load?

Is the center of gravity of the load found before proceeding with lifting operations?

Are additional measures taken to secure loads that might break up, e.g. a pallet of bricks secured in plastic sheeting?

Are slings protected from damage due to sharp edges with suitable packaging?

Suspended Loads

Are operations that require suspending loads above people prevented or reorganized so they don't put people at risk?

If loads are left suspended in between lifting operations, is access to this zone prevented?

Are suspended loads prevented from swinging and swaying excessively during operations?

Storage

Are lifting equipment and accessories stored in a suitable environment that will not lead to deterioration over time?

Where one particular area is regularly required for lifting operations, is it marked out, e.g. with a yellow hatched box, to prevent materials from being stored in it?

Required Actions

Comments or Required Actions

Cordon of areas around lifting equipment to minimize the time spent suspending loads above peoples heads

Put suitable barriers in place to prevent non-authorized personnel from gaining access to the lift

Lifting operations could have been better planned, Coordinate with the project manager to find out where we went wrong and change the procedure

Need additional straps for additional measures taken to secure loads that might break up

Comments

Sign Off

Inspector's Signature

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a pre-use inspection and a periodic inspection?

A pre-use inspection is a quick check performed before operating lifting equipment to identify obvious issues like visible damage or misaligned parts. Periodic inspections, on the other hand, are more detailed evaluations conducted at regular intervals by a qualified professional.

How can I prepare lifting equipment for an inspection?

To prepare for an inspection, clean the equipment thoroughly to expose all components for proper assessment. Make sure the equipment is idle, disconnected from power (if applicable), and accessible from all angles. Gather relevant maintenance and usage records for review and organize any tools required for disassembly or inspection.

What should I do if a piece of lifting equipment fails an inspection?

Remove the equipment immediately from service to avoid accidents. Record the issue in detail, including photos if possible, and notify the appropriate personnel. Depending on the severity of the issue, arrange for repairs or replacement. Conduct a follow-up inspection to confirm the problem has been resolved before returning the equipment.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.