Free crane inspection checklist
Free crane inspection checklist for mobile and overhead cranes. structural, wire ropes, hooks, brakes and load testing. PDF or digital with MapTrack.
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These templates are free general guides provided as-is. They do not constitute legal, safety or compliance advice. You are responsible for ensuring any form meets your specific workplace obligations, industry standards and applicable regulations.
Updated 26 Oct 2026
Crane Inspection Checklist
Mobile, overhead and tower crane inspection record
Structural
Wire Ropes & Chains
Hooks & Load Handling
Brakes & Controls
Safety Devices
Electrical
General
Inspector sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date
Crane operator acknowledgement
Signature
Print name
Date
Site supervisor sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date
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- PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
- Use as-is or customise to suit your operation
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Short answer
A crane inspection checklist records the condition of a crane's structure, wire ropes, hooks, sheaves, brakes, controls, safety devices, load indicators and electrics, with defects and actions. Operators complete daily checks and competent inspectors do the periodic and annual inspections. Regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations requires competent-person inspection following the manufacturer's recommendations, otherwise a competent person's, and annually only where neither is reasonably practicable.
Checked against AS 2550.1-2011 on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack crane inspection checklist contains 42 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: Structural, Wire Ropes & Chains, Hooks & Load Handling, Brakes & Controls, Safety Devices, Electrical, General.
- The schedule is tiered: an operator check before each shift, monthly and quarterly checks of ropes, hooks, brakes and structure, and a comprehensive annual inspection by a competent person.
- Test each brake under load, and confirm the load moment indicator, limit switches, anemometer and level indicator all work.
- Rate each defect. A critical defect takes the crane out of service immediately, and a major defect must be fixed before the next scheduled use.
- A registered mobile or tower crane needs a regulation 235 major inspection at the end of the design life the manufacturer recommends, or as a competent person recommends if the manufacturer is silent, with every 10 years as the last fallback.
- After an incident, an overload or a significant modification, inspect the crane again before it returns to service.
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What is a crane inspection checklist?
A crane inspection checklist is a structured form used to inspect and document the condition of a crane at regular intervals. It covers all safety-critical components, including structural members, wire ropes, hooks, sheaves, brakes, controls, safety devices, load indicators and electrical systems. The checklist ensures that cranes are safe to operate, identifies defects before they cause failures, and provides documented evidence of compliance with Australian WHS regulations and AS 2550 standards.
Cranes are classified as high-risk plant under Australian WHS legislation, meaning they are subject to strict registration, licensing and inspection requirements. A documented inspection programme is essential to meet these obligations. The checklist applies to all crane types, including mobile cranes, tower cranes, overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, crawler cranes and vehicle-loading cranes. Using a consistent inspection form across your fleet ensures every safety-critical component is checked to the same standard regardless of which operator or inspector performs the work. Under WHS Regulations 2011 and AS 2550 (Cranes, hoists and winches), the PCBU must ensure that cranes are inspected at prescribed intervals and maintained by competent persons. Failing to detect a mechanical defect before a lift can lead to load drops, structural collapse or fatalities, making documented pre-use and periodic inspections a non-negotiable obligation for every crane operator and site supervisor.
Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.
Running this on more than one crane? Keep each crane's pre starts, hour services, inspection dates, logbook files and operator VOCs on one record with crane inspection software.
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Benefits of using this crane inspection checklist
- Safety: identify worn or damaged components before they cause a failure or incident.
- Compliance: documented inspections to meet WHS and AS 2550 requirements.
- Reduced downtime: catch issues during scheduled inspections rather than mid-lift.
- Insurance requirements: many insurers require documented inspection records for crane cover.
- Liability protection: demonstrated inspection history provides a defence in incident investigations.
- Component tracking: monitor wear trends on wire ropes, brakes and structural members over time.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise crane checklists in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
- Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
- Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
- Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
- Email safety managers when a hazard report is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- Keep every hazard and incident report against the site it came from, with photos.
- Turn a hazard report into a corrective-action work order with its own review step.
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What to include in a crane inspection checklist
This crane inspection checklist covers 13 key areas:
- Crane details: type, make/model, serial number, SWL/WLL, registration, site location.
- Inspection details: date, inspector name, inspection type, hours/cycles.
- Structural: boom, jib, mast, turntable, outriggers, chassis, welds, pins, bolts.
- Wire ropes and chains: diameter, lay length, broken wires, corrosion, lubrication, terminations.
- Hooks: throat opening, twist, wear, safety latch, markings.
- Sheaves and pulleys: groove wear, bearings, guards, alignment.
- Brakes: hoist, slew, travel, emergency, adjustment, wear.
- Controls: levers, pedals, switches, cab instruments, load moment indicator.
- Safety devices: anti-two-block, load indicator, limit switches, anemometer, level indicator.
- Electrical: motors, contactors, wiring, pendant, collector bars, earthing.
- Load testing: proof load, functional test, SWL verification.
- Defect register: item, severity, action required.
- Sign-off: inspector, crane supervisor.
How to use this crane inspection checklist
- Record crane details and current hours/cycles.: Note the crane type, make, model, serial number, registration, SWL/WLL, site location, current run hours or lift cycles and the date of next scheduled service. This information ties the inspection to the specific asset and its maintenance history.
- Conduct visual inspection with crane powered off.: Walk around the crane and inspect the boom, jib, mast, turntable, outriggers, chassis, welds, pins and bolts for cracks, corrosion, deformation or missing components. Check all guards and covers are secure and that safety signage and load charts are legible.
- Inspect wire ropes, hooks and structural members in detail.: Measure wire rope diameter and check for broken wires, corrosion, kinking, birdcaging and correct lubrication. Inspect hooks for throat opening, twist, wear and safety latch operation. Examine all sheaves and pulleys for groove wear, bearing play and guard condition.
- Power up and test all controls, brakes and safety devices.: Start the crane and test each control function: hoist up and down, slew, travel, boom raise and lower. Test all brakes under load. Verify anti-two-block device, load moment indicator, limit switches, anemometer and level indicator are functioning correctly.
- Record all defects with severity ratings.: For each defect found, record the component, the nature of the fault and a severity rating (critical, major or minor). Critical defects require the crane to be immediately taken out of service. Major defects must be rectified before the next scheduled use.
- Sign off, tag crane status and update the service record.: Record the overall inspection result (pass or fail), sign and date the form. Attach a green (serviceable) or red (out of service) tag to the crane. Update the asset service record with the inspection outcome and any outstanding work orders.
In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full crane inspection checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
Crane inspections follow a tiered schedule. Daily pre-operational checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Monthly inspections cover major components (wire ropes, hooks, brakes, safety devices). Quarterly inspections include detailed structural and rope assessments. Annual inspections are comprehensive and should be performed by a competent person or licensed assessor. Cranes in high-use or harsh environments may require more frequent inspections. The regulation 235 major inspection of a registered mobile or tower crane, due at the end of its design life or as a competent person recommends (otherwise every 10 years), typically involves non-destructive testing of structural members. After any incident, overload event or significant modification, the crane must be re-inspected before returning to service. In MapTrack, you can schedule each inspection tier and track compliance across your entire crane fleet.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 1: General requirementsSets crane inspection, records of maintenance and repair, rope and hook inspection, and the major assessment for continued use. | AS 2550.1-2011 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsSets plant inspection by a competent person, the major inspection and records for registered mobile and tower cranes. | Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 5: Mobile cranesMobile crane maintenance and inspection, and limiting and indicating devices such as load indicators. | AS 2550.5:2016 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Guide to inspecting and maintaining cranesSafe Work Australia's practical guide to inspecting and maintaining cranes; guidance, not law. | December 2015 | Whole instrument | Safe Work Australia |
| Steel wire rope - Use, operation and maintenanceCovers in-service inspection of steel wire rope and the criteria for discarding it. | AS 2759-2004 |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplaceModel Code guidance on inspecting and maintaining plant by competent people, following manufacturer instructions. | November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024) |
| Safe Work Australia |
Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 1: General requirements
Edition: AS 2550.1-2011
Sets crane inspection, records of maintenance and repair, rope and hook inspection, and the major assessment for continued use.
- 7.3: Inspection of cranes, hoists and winches.
- 7.5: Records of maintenance, inspection and repair.
- Section 8: Inspection of ropes, hooks and lifting gear.
- Section 9: Major assessment of a crane for continued use or changed operation.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)
Sets plant inspection by a competent person, the major inspection and records for registered mobile and tower cranes.
- reg 213: Plant must be maintained, inspected and, if necessary, tested by a competent person, following manufacturer or competent person recommendations; annual inspection applies only if neither is practicable.
- Part 5.2: Additional duties for registered plant and plant designs, including major crane inspections and records.
- reg 235: Registered mobile and tower cranes need a major inspection at the manufacturer's design life end, else per competent person advice, else every 10 years.
- reg 237: Records of tests, inspections, maintenance and alterations must be kept for plant required to be registered.
- Schedule 5: Plant requiring registration: plant designs (Part 1) and items of plant (Part 2), such as boilers and tower cranes.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use, Part 5: Mobile cranes
Edition: AS 2550.5:2016
Mobile crane maintenance and inspection, and limiting and indicating devices such as load indicators.
- Section 7: Maintenance, inspection and repair of mobile cranes.
- Section 8: Limiting, indicating and data recording devices on mobile cranes.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Guide to inspecting and maintaining cranes
Edition: December 2015
Safe Work Australia's practical guide to inspecting and maintaining cranes; guidance, not law.
Steel wire rope - Use, operation and maintenance
Edition: AS 2759-2004
Covers in-service inspection of steel wire rope and the criteria for discarding it.
- Section 13: Inspection of steel wire ropes in service.
- Section 14: Criteria for discarding steel wire ropes.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
Edition: November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024)
Model Code guidance on inspecting and maintaining plant by competent people, following manufacturer instructions.
- Section 3.5: Inspecting plant: how and when plant should be inspected by a competent person, reflecting reg 213.
- Section 3.6: Maintenance, repair and cleaning of plant, following manufacturer instructions and by competent people.
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
Crane inspection checklist preview
The numbers behind this crane inspection checklist
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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Crane inspection checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Crane details: type, make/model, serial number, SWL/WLL, registration, site location.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Inspection details: date, inspector name, inspection type, hours/cycles.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Structural: boom, jib, mast, turntable, outriggers, chassis, welds, pins, bolts.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Wire ropes and chains: diameter, lay length, broken wires, corrosion, lubrication, terminations.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Hooks: throat opening, twist, wear, safety latch, markings.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Sheaves and pulleys: groove wear, bearings, guards, alignment.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/crane-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Crane inspection checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
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Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.
The MapTrack crane inspection checklist contains 42 checks across 7 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Crane inspection checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/crane-inspection-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Crane inspection checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/crane-inspection-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/crane-inspection-checklist.
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