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Free lifting shackle inspection checklist

Free lifting shackle inspection checklist covering bow diameter, pin thread, tag legibility and discard criteria per AS 2741, ASME B30.26 and AS 4991.

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FreePDFUpdated Oct 2026

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Updated 26 Oct 2026

Lifting Shackle Inspection Checklist

Competent-person inspection | Per AS 2741, ASME B30.26 and AS 4991

Live form
0 of 27 checks

Identification & rating

1WLL stamp legible
2Manufacturer mark legible
3Batch or serial number legible
4Certification standard legible
5Tag photographed for batch record

Shackle type & configuration

6Bow vs dee shackle confirmed
7Screw-pin vs bolt-type confirmed
8Rated configuration matches actual use
9No dee shackle used in side-load configuration

Bow & pin wear measurement

10Bow diameter at midpoint vs OEM nominal
1110 percent bow diameter reduction threshold checked
12Pin diameter at thread root vs OEM nominal
1310 percent pin diameter reduction threshold checked
14Bow elongation across inside dimension vs nominal
155 percent bow elongation threshold checked

Pin engagement & security

16Pin full thread engagement into lug confirmed
17Pin thread free of gouging or cross-threading
18Bolt-type nut and split pin in place
19Screw-pin tightness verified before lift

Damage & corrosion

20Gouging, nicking, weld splatter or arc burn documented
21Corrosion pitting graded vs discard criteria
22Side load bending or distortion checked on dee shackles
23Heat marks or weld repair flagged for retirement

Retirement & records

24Retired shackles cut through bow with bolt cutters
25Destruction photographed for record
26Batch register updated in MapTrack
27Next batch inspection date set

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Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Co-Founder & Commercial Director

Updated 26 October 2026
Also see:Lifting gear and crane inspections →Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Short answer

A lifting shackle inspection checklist records each shackle's identification, working load limit, bow and pin measurements, thread engagement and visible damage, with keep, watch or retire decisions. Riggers check before every lift and competent people measure on a schedule, often quarterly, which is practice, not law. Regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations requires competent-person inspection following the manufacturer's recommendations.

Checked against Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack lifting shackle inspection checklist contains 27 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Identification & rating, Shackle type & configuration, Bow & pin wear measurement, Pin engagement & security, Damage & corrosion, Retirement & records.
  • Discard thresholds such as 10 percent bow wear come from the shackle manufacturer; record the figure you measure against.
  • Destroy a retired shackle, for example by cutting through the bow; never grind, weld or heat-treat one back into service.
  • Withdraw any shackle without a legible manufacturer mark and working load limit, however good it looks, and refer it to a competent person.
  • After a shock load, side load on a dee shackle, heat or chemical exposure, inspect every shackle in the affected gear box.
  • Regulation 219: lifting gear is used within its safe working limits, so check the marked WLL against the load.

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Used by construction, mining and field service teams

Saunders InternationalMineral ResourcesSupagasHacer GroupMetro TunnelUltrabuilt

What is a lifting shackle inspection checklist?

A lifting shackle inspection checklist is the component-level record used by a competent person to inspect each shackle in service and decide whether it stays in the rigging gear box, goes on the watch list, or is retired and destroyed. The inspection covers both bow shackles, which take loads from multiple directions, and dee shackles, which are intended for in-line load only, and both screw-pin and bolt-type variants. Identification is the first step because a shackle without a legible manufacturer mark, WLL, batch number and certification standard is non-compliant under AS 2741 regardless of measurable condition. Key technical measurements include bow diameter at the midpoint compared against the OEM nominal where a 10 percent reduction is the typical discard threshold, pin diameter at the thread root compared against nominal, pin engagement to confirm full thread engagement of the pin into the lug, bow elongation across the inside dimension where a 5 percent elongation is the typical discard threshold, and a visual walk for gouging, corrosion, side load damage, thread damage on the pin and any heat or weld damage on the body.

AS 2741 (Shackles) is the Australian standard that sets shackle dimensions, identification and discard criteria for general lifting, AS 4991 (Lifting devices) covers lifting devices that connect to a crane hook, such as spreader beams and magnet, vacuum and friction lifters, ASME B30.26 (Rigging hardware) is the international reference that most OEM and import shackle manufacturers point to, and WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 carries the PCBU plant inspection duty. A shackle retired from service is physically destroyed by cutting through the bow because shackles are low-cost consumable items and the cost of a retired shackle re-entering service is catastrophic. Side-load damage on a dee shackle is one of the highest-frequency findings on a shackle inspection because riggers regularly mis-apply dee shackles in two-leg sling configurations where the load is no longer pure in-line. A printed checklist supports the rigger inspector at the gear box, and a digital record in MapTrack ties each shackle to a batch register so the inspection cadence runs on the batch rather than against a single asset, which matches how most sites manage their shackle inventory across multiple WLL grades.

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Benefits of using this lifting shackle inspection checklist

  • Discard-criteria accountability: Each shackle decision is signed against the competent inspector who measured bow diameter and pin engagement, not a generic gear-box signature
  • AS 2741 and ASME B30.26 alignment: The checklist captures the exact discard criteria from both standards so audits and OEM warranty claims are straightforward
  • Tag-legibility enforcement: A shackle without a legible WLL, manufacturer mark and batch number is retired regardless of measurable condition
  • Batch-level traceability: Shackles are inspected and retired by batch number rather than against a single asset which matches how most sites manage rigging gear
  • Destruction discipline: Retired shackles are cut through the bow and photographed before disposal, preventing a retired shackle re-entering service
  • Side-load damage interception: Bow elongation measurement intercepts side-load damage on dee shackles before the bow opens under load
  • Audit-ready evidence: A stamped, dated batch record satisfies the WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 expectation for a competent-person inspection layer over operator pre-starts

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise lifting shackle inspection 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 lifting shackle inspection checklist

This lifting shackle inspection checklist covers 12 key areas:

  • Shackle identification: WLL stamp, manufacturer mark, batch or serial number, certification standard, all clearly legible without doubt
  • Shackle type confirmation: bow shackle vs dee shackle, screw-pin vs bolt-type, confirmed against the rigging configuration the shackle is used in
  • Bow diameter measurement: vernier measurement at the bow midpoint compared against OEM nominal, with 10 percent diameter reduction as the typical discard threshold
  • Pin diameter at thread root: vernier measurement at the thread root of the pin compared against OEM nominal, with 10 percent reduction as the typical discard threshold
  • Pin engagement check: pin screwed fully into the lug with full thread engagement, no thread bottoming out short of engagement
  • Bow elongation: across the inside dimension of the bow compared against OEM nominal, with 5 percent elongation as the typical discard threshold
  • Pin thread condition: thread damage on the pin checked for gouging, cross-threading, stripped thread or burrs
  • Surface damage: gouging, nicking, weld splatter, arc burn, corrosion pitting or paint loss documented and graded against discard criteria
  • Side load damage: shackle bow checked for bending or distortion from side loading, particularly on dee shackles which are intended for in-line load only
  • Heat or weld damage: shackle body inspected for heat marks, paint discolouration or any attempt at weld repair which is grounds for immediate retirement
  • Locking device: bolt-type shackle nut and split pin in place and undamaged, screw-pin tightness verified before lift
  • End-of-life decision: keep in service, retire and destroy now (cut through bow before disposal)

How to use this lifting shackle inspection checklist

  1. 1. Plan the inspection and set up the bench: pull the rigging gear register including batch numbers, install dates and previous inspection records, set up a clean inspection bench with vernier callipers, OEM nominal dimension sheet, camera, retirement tag stickers and bolt cutters for destruction of retired shackles
  2. 2. Identify each shackle and check tag legibility: confirm WLL stamp, manufacturer mark, batch or serial number and certification standard are all legible without doubt, retire any shackle where any one of these marks is unreadable, photograph the markings for the batch record
  3. 3. Confirm shackle type against use: confirm bow shackle versus dee shackle, screw-pin versus bolt-type, against the rigging configurations the shackle is rated to be used in, flag any shackle being used outside its rated configuration
  4. 4. Measure bow diameter at midpoint: use vernier callipers to measure the bow diameter at the midpoint of the shackle bow, compare against the OEM nominal and the 10 percent diameter reduction discard threshold, retire any shackle at or beyond threshold
  5. 5. Measure pin diameter at thread root: use vernier callipers to measure the pin diameter at the thread root, compare against the OEM nominal and the 10 percent reduction discard threshold, retire any pin at or beyond threshold even if the shackle body is in good condition
  6. 6. Check pin engagement and thread condition: screw the pin into the lug and confirm full thread engagement with no bottoming out short of engagement, inspect the pin thread for gouging, cross-threading, stripped thread or burrs that compromise engagement
  7. 7. Inspect bow elongation: measure the inside dimension of the bow against OEM nominal and the 5 percent elongation discard threshold, this measurement intercepts side-load damage on dee shackles which are intended for in-line load only
  8. 8. Walk the surface for damage: inspect the shackle body for gouging, nicking, weld splatter, arc burn, corrosion pitting and paint loss, flag any heat marks or attempts at weld repair which are grounds for immediate retirement, confirm the locking device is in place on bolt-type shackles
  9. 9. Make the end-of-life decision and destroy retired shackles: mark each shackle as fit for service or retire-and-destroy, cut through the bow of any retired shackle with bolt cutters before disposal, photograph the destroyed shackle for the record, update the batch register in MapTrack and set the next batch inspection date

In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

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How often should you complete this inspection checklist?

This checklist uses a tiered inspection cadence. Check the manufacturer and the current editions of AS 2741 and ASME B30.26 for the intervals that apply to your shackles. The rigger runs a visual pre-use check before every lift, looking for obvious damage, tag legibility, pin engagement and bow distortion. A monthly visual inspection by a trained rigger covers each shackle in the gear box for obvious damage, tag legibility and pin condition. A quarterly inspection by a competent person measures bow diameter, pin diameter at thread root and bow elongation against discard criteria. A 12 monthly major inspection by a competent person covers every shackle in every gear box on site and sits inside the annual rigging gear audit. Any shock load, dropped object, side load on a dee shackle, heat exposure, chemical contamination or near-miss event triggers an out-of-cycle inspection of every shackle in the affected gear box. In MapTrack the shackle inspection schedule sits against the batch number so a new batch resets the clock automatically for the whole batch.

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Frequently asked questions

AS 2741 (Shackles) is the Australian standard that sets shackle dimensions, identification and discard criteria for general lifting. AS 4991 (Lifting devices) covers lifting devices that connect to a crane hook, such as spreader beams and magnet, vacuum and friction lifters, rather than shackles. ASME B30.26 (Rigging hardware) is the international reference that most OEM and import shackle manufacturers point to and the criteria are broadly aligned with AS 2741. WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 makes shackle condition part of the PCBU plant inspection duty and regulation 219 requires lifting to be carried out with lifting attachments suitable for the load and within the safe working limits of the plant, which a shackle without a legible WLL stamp cannot show.

Retire a shackle when the bow diameter at the midpoint has reduced by 10 percent or more from the OEM nominal. The measurement is taken at the midpoint of the bow with vernier callipers. Bow diameter reduction is the indication that the shackle has accumulated wear, abrasion or corrosion that compromises the shackle WLL. A shackle at or beyond the threshold is retired and destroyed by cutting through the bow before disposal. No grinding, plating, weld repair or heat-treatment is permitted to bring the shackle back into service.

Retire a shackle when the pin diameter at the thread root has reduced by 10 percent or more from the OEM nominal, when the pin thread is stripped, cross-threaded or gouged such that full thread engagement cannot be achieved, when the pin shows any heat damage or weld repair, or when the locking device on a bolt-type shackle is missing or damaged. The pin can be replaced with an OEM equivalent only where the shackle body remains within criteria. Aftermarket or non-matched pins are not permitted because the pin and body are matched at manufacture.

A visual pre-use check before every lift by the rigger covers tag legibility, pin engagement and obvious bow distortion. A monthly visual inspection by a trained rigger covers each shackle in the gear box. A quarterly inspection by a competent person measures bow diameter, pin diameter at thread root and bow elongation against discard criteria. A 12 monthly major inspection covers every shackle in every gear box and sits inside the annual rigging gear audit. Any shock load, dropped object, side load on a dee shackle, heat exposure, chemical contamination or near-miss event triggers an out-of-cycle inspection of the affected gear box.

A shackle at or beyond a discard threshold is retired and physically destroyed by cutting through the bow with bolt cutters before disposal. No grinding, plating, weld repair, heat-treatment or straightening should be done because the shackle is a forged load-bearing component and the cost of a retired shackle re-entering service is catastrophic. The pin can be replaced with an OEM equivalent only where the shackle body remains within criteria. Shackles are low-cost consumable items and the safety case for destruction over repair is straightforward.

Yes. This lifting shackle inspection checklist is completely free to download and use, and it downloads as a ready-to-print PDF. No MapTrack account is required. It suits riggers and competent persons inspecting bow and dee shackles against AS 2741 across the rigging gear box. If you later want to move off paper and spreadsheets, MapTrack turns this into a live digital register: bow-diameter and pin-engagement measurements recorded against each shackle batch, the inspection cadence run on the batch so a new batch resets the clock, retirement and destruction photos held against the record, and automated reminders with a complete timestamped audit trail. Start free at maptrack.com/free-trial or book a demo.

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.

  • 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)

    Competent-person inspection of plant, and lifting attachments used within safe working limits. Model law: check your state's version.

    • 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.
    • reg 219: Lifting plant must be designed for the load so far as reasonably practicable, with safeguards for alternatives, suitable lifting attachments, and use within safe working limits.

    Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)

  • Shackles

    Edition: AS 2741-2002 (incl. Amd 1 and Amd 2)

    Australian shackle standard (AS 2741-2002); take discard criteria from it and from the shackle manufacturer.

    Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher

  • B30.26 Rigging Hardware

    Edition: ASME B30.26-2026

    US rigging hardware standard, current edition 2026, which many shackle manufacturers reference.

    ASMESold 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 how and when a competent person inspects plant. Legal effect only where approved.

    • Section 3.5: Inspecting plant: how and when plant should be inspected by a competent person, reflecting reg 213.

    Safe Work Australia

Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.

Check the current source

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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;">Lifting Shackle 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;">Shackle identification: WLL stamp, manufacturer mark, batch or serial number, certification standard, all clearly legible without doubt</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Shackle type confirmation: bow shackle vs dee shackle, screw-pin vs bolt-type, confirmed against the rigging configuration the shackle is used in</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Bow diameter measurement: vernier measurement at the bow midpoint compared against OEM nominal, with 10 percent diameter reduction as the typical discard threshold</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Pin diameter at thread root: vernier measurement at the thread root of the pin compared against OEM nominal, with 10 percent reduction as the typical discard threshold</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Pin engagement check: pin screwed fully into the lug with full thread engagement, no thread bottoming out short of engagement</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Bow elongation: across the inside dimension of the bow compared against OEM nominal, with 5 percent elongation as the typical discard threshold</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/lifting-shackle-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Lifting Shackle Inspection Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>

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The MapTrack lifting shackle inspection checklist contains 27 checks across 6 sections.

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MapTrack Lifting Shackle Inspection Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/lifting-shackle-inspection-checklist
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MapTrack. (2026). Lifting Shackle Inspection Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/lifting-shackle-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/lifting-shackle-inspection-checklist.

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