What types of lifting equipment need regular inspections?

All lifting equipment requires regular inspections under Australian WHS regulations and AS 4991 (Lifting devices). This includes web slings, chain slings, wire rope slings, shackles, chain blocks, lever hoists, lifting beams, eyebolts, turnbuckles and spreader bars. Each type has specific inspection criteria based on its construction and use.

When should lifting equipment be taken out of service?

Lifting equipment must be removed from service immediately if any defect is identified that could affect its safe working load. This includes cuts or abrasion exceeding 10% of material thickness on slings, stretched or deformed chain links, broken wires on wire rope slings, distorted or worn shackle pins, illegible or missing identification tags, and any evidence of heat damage or chemical exposure.

What standards apply to lifting equipment inspections in Australia?

Lifting equipment inspections in Australia are governed by AS 4991 (Lifting devices), which covers the design, manufacture, testing and inspection of lifting accessories including slings, shackles and hooks. AS 2550 (Cranes, hoists and winches, Safe use) provides requirements for the safe use and inspection of cranes and associated lifting gear. AS 1418 covers the design and construction standards for cranes and hoists. State and territory WHS regulations require that lifting equipment be maintained and inspected by a competent person. Always check your specific state or territory requirements as they may impose additional obligations.

Who is a competent person for lifting equipment inspections?

A competent person for lifting equipment inspections is someone who has acquired, through training, qualification and experience, the knowledge and skills to carry out the inspection task correctly. For pre-use visual checks, this may be a trained operator or rigger. For formal periodic inspections, the person should have specific knowledge of the equipment type, the applicable discard criteria in AS 4991, and the relevant WHS requirements. Annual thorough examinations are typically carried out by qualified engineers, inspectors accredited by a relevant professional body, or specialists engaged by the equipment manufacturer or an independent inspection service.

Is this lifting equipment inspection checklist free to use?

Yes. Download and use this lifting equipment inspection checklist for free. Open the HTML file in any browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want to manage lifting equipment inspections digitally with scheduled reminders, photographic evidence, defect tracking and compliance dashboards across multiple sites, MapTrack can handle that. Book a demo to see how the digital upgrade works for your lifting equipment register.

Free lifting equipment inspection checklist

Q: How often should lifting equipment be inspected?

Lifting equipment should be inspected before each use as a visual pre-use check. Formal inspections are typically performed quarterly for frequently used items and at least annually for all lifting gear. Equipment exposed to harsh environments, chemicals or heavy duty cycles may require more frequent inspection. All lifting equipment must be inspected by a competent person after any incident or suspected overload.

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Free lifting equipment inspection checklist for slings, shackles, chain blocks and lifting accessories (PDF-ready). Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

Also see:Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a lifting equipment inspection checklist?

A lifting equipment inspection checklist is a structured form used to inspect and document the condition of slings, shackles, chain blocks, lever hoists, lifting beams and other lifting accessories at regular intervals. It covers all safety-critical components for each equipment type, ensuring that lifting gear is safe to use, correctly rated and properly identified. The checklist provides documented evidence of compliance with Australian WHS regulations and AS 4991 requirements for lifting devices. Inspections are grouped by equipment category, with specific pass/fail criteria for web slings, chain slings, wire rope slings, shackles and chain blocks, making it straightforward for a competent inspector to assess each item systematically.

Lifting equipment failures can result in dropped loads, crushing injuries and fatalities. Australian WHS Regulations 2011, Chapter 5, require that plant used for lifting be inspected by a competent person at regular intervals and before each use. AS 2550 (Cranes, hoists and winches, Safe use) provides the overarching safe-use requirements, while AS 1418 covers the design and construction standards for cranes and hoists. The UK Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), Regulation 9, which is widely referenced internationally, requires thorough examination of lifting equipment at specified intervals and before first use. Maintaining a documented inspection register for every piece of lifting equipment demonstrates compliance with these standards and provides a traceable history that supports safety audits, insurance claims and incident investigations. Organisations that fail to maintain lifting equipment records face enforcement action, increased insurance premiums and significant legal exposure in the event of an incident involving lifting gear.

Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.

Benefits of using this lifting equipment inspection checklist

Safety: identify worn, damaged or degraded lifting gear before it fails under load, preventing dropped loads and potential injuries or fatalities.
Compliance: documented inspections demonstrate your organisation meets WHS regulations and AS 4991 requirements for lifting devices used in the workplace.
Reduced risk: catch defects during scheduled inspections rather than discovering them during a critical lift, when the consequences of failure are highest.
Traceability: maintain a complete inspection history for every sling, shackle and hoist in your inventory.
Insurance requirements: many insurers require documented inspection records for lifting equipment as a condition of cover, and claims may be rejected without them.
Cost savings: extend the service life of lifting gear by identifying issues early and scheduling replacements proactively.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise lifting equipment checklists in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share forms digitally.
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.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Set recurring audit schedules with automatic reminders and escalation.
Produce regulator-ready PDF compliance packs in one click.
Track corrective actions from finding to close-out with full audit trail.

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What to include in a lifting equipment inspection checklist

This lifting equipment inspection checklist covers 8 key areas:

Equipment details: type, SWL/WLL, serial/ID number, inspection date, inspector name.
Web/synthetic slings: cuts, abrasion, stitching, labels, UV damage.
Chain slings: link wear, stretch, corrosion, hooks, identification tags.
Wire rope slings: broken wires, kinks, corrosion, ferrules, thimbles.
Shackles and hardware: pin wear, body distortion, markings, thread condition.
Chain blocks and hoists: chain condition, hook, brake, handle, label, load test.
Overall outcome: fit for use, requires repair or condemn.
Sign-off: inspector, supervisor.

How to use this lifting equipment inspection checklist

Record equipment type, SWL/WLL and identification details.: Identify the item by its unique tag or serial number and cross-reference against your lifting equipment register. Record the safe working load or working load limit, the equipment type and the manufacturer details.
Select the relevant equipment type section on the checklist.: Use the section specific to the equipment being inspected (web slings, chain slings, wire rope slings, shackles or chain blocks). Each section lists the inspection criteria relevant to that equipment type.
Visually inspect each component and mark OK, Defect or N/A.: Examine each component under good lighting. For slings, check for cuts, abrasion, stitching damage and label legibility. For shackles, check pin wear, body distortion and marking clarity. For chain blocks, check the chain, hook and brake.
Record details for any defects found, including severity.: Describe each defect clearly, noting its location and severity. Reference the applicable discard criteria from AS 4991 to determine whether the defect requires repair, monitoring or immediate condemnation.
Determine outcome: fit for use, requires repair or condemn.: Based on the inspection findings and the AS 4991 discard criteria, classify the equipment as fit for continued use, requiring repair before use, or condemned and withdrawn from service permanently.
Sign off and update the lifting equipment register.: The inspector and supervisor should sign the completed checklist. Update the lifting equipment register with the inspection result, next inspection due date, and any corrective actions required.

In MapTrack, you can automate compliance tracking and audit trails. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

Lifting equipment inspections follow a tiered schedule. Pre-use visual checks are performed before each lift. Formal inspections are typically performed quarterly for frequently used items and annually for all lifting gear. Equipment exposed to harsh environments, corrosive chemicals or heavy-duty cycles may require monthly inspections. After any incident, suspected overload or repair, a full inspection must be completed before the equipment is returned to service. In MapTrack, you can schedule each inspection tier and track compliance across your entire lifting equipment register.

Frequently asked questions

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS 2550 - Cranes, hoists and winches (Safe use)
AS 1418 - Cranes, hoists and winches
LOLER 1998 - Regulation 9 (thorough examination)
WHS Regulations 2011, Chapter 5 - Plant and Structures

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