Importance of Periodical In-Service Examination of Lifting Equipment

According to the UK Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2, “it is the duty of every employer to

provide the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable,

safe and without risks to health”.

Main Advantages of Periodical Inspection of Lifting Equipment 

• Ensure Safety: by early detection of dangerous conditions that may cause accidents

• Reduction in Time & Cost of Downtime and Repair: by identifying & fixing defects prior to

• breakdown or failure  

• Identify Underlying & Recurring Issues: by ensuring 

personnel conduct regular maintenance and inspections

There are various regulations, standards and legislations adopted around the world that mandates periodic

examinations for lifting equipment on regular intervals.

Two such widely followed regulation/standard are:

1. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1919.15

The periodic examination typically covers the following stages;

1. Visual Examination

2. Dimensional Examination 

3. Functional Examination and 

4. Load Test (where applicable). 

By covering these 4 stages of examination on an equipment, the Inspection Engineer (competent person) can

identify most of the defects and deformations (if any) that can adversely affect its safe use. 

A periodic examination ensures that, there is no damages like bends, dents, cracks, and/or abnormal

wear and tear, corrosion, oil leakage, misalignment, malfunction of the load monitoring devices, limit switches,

deterioration, and permanent deformations etc. 

An important aspect of proper maintenance of lifting equipment is the daily/ weekly checks. A good practice to

follow is to provide a trained equipment user with a checklist for pre-use, daily and weekly inspections,

and record it in a file. 

For example, guidelines and a sample checklist for cranes and personnel carrier is given in

BS 7121-1:2016: Code of practice for safe use of cranes – General. 

During the periodic inspection, the competent person (third party inspector) will review the documents such as

manufacturer’s operations manual, daily/weekly inspection records, maintenance record,

previous inspection records, load charts etc. 

These records assist competent person to understand the history of the equipment. The inspector can check the

specific areas or components which were repaired or replaced after the previous examination.

A well-maintained equipment prevents accidents, breakdowns and protects the people and property from them. 

These are the reasons why it is important to conduct periodical in-service examination of lifting equipment.

Intervals of Periodic Inspections

According to LOLER Regulation 9:

All lifting gears and lifting equipment which are using for lifting persons shall be examined at
least every 6 months;

And all the other lifting equipment shall be examined at least every 12 months or in accordance with an examination scheme.

Why Liftek for your Inspection of Lifting Equipment?

a. Liftek is an Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) and
Emirates National Accreditation System (ENAS) approved Third Party Inspection Company.
b. Certified by DNV for ISO 9001 & 14001 and ISO 45001
c. Our experienced and qualified Inspectors carry out the following scope of work
at both onshore and offshore sites;

#Inspection of all types of loose lifting gear and manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric lifting
equipment
#Inspection of overhead crane systems, runways, gantry structures, mobile cranes,
tower cranes, port cranes, pedestal deck cranes etc. 
#Proof load test of all types of lifting equipment and loose lifting gear
#Proof load test using either dead-weights or water bags of all types of cranes,
including overhead cranes, derrick structures, mobile and pedestal deck cranes

• EMAG/ MRT of steel wire ropes 

• MPI of lifting equipment

All inspections are paperless and conducted using tablets

Certificates are digital and QR enabled for easy authentication

Auto reminders for certificate expiry

Liftek can ensure all your lifting equipment fully complies with the regional regulations and are safe to use. Contact us for your next inspection job.