Inspection of lifting and hoisting equipment
Lifting equipment must be periodically inspected and examined to ensure safe use and continued compliance with applicable legislation and regulations. On this page, you can read about the difference between an inspection and an examination, who is permitted to examine lifting equipment, and the role that the EKH Industry Association plays in the practical implementation of these requirements.
The difference between an inspection and an examination
For both lifting appliances and lifting accessories, a distinction is made between an inspection and an examination.
- During an inspection, it is assessed whether the lifting equipment can still be used safely at that particular time. This includes checking its general condition, wear, damage and the correct functioning of its components.
- During an examination, it is determined whether the lifting equipment complies with the applicable legal requirements, standards and regulations. The results of the examination are recorded in an examination report.
By law, lifting accessories must be examined by a competent person or institution at least once a year and, where necessary, tested. More information about the examination of lifting appliances and lifting accessories can be found on the pages below.
Examination of lifting appliances
Examination of lifting accessories
Who is permitted to examine lifting equipment?
The legislation refers to examinations being carried out by a competent person. What constitutes competence is left to the industry to define.
EKH has therefore developed an extensive training programme for the examination of lifting appliances and lifting accessories. Upon completion, technicians take both a theoretical and practical examination. After successfully completing these examinations, they receive personal certification and may call themselves an EKH Inspector. EKH Inspectors hold a personal certificate and can therefore demonstrably prove their competence.
In addition to requirements for individuals, EKH also sets requirements for affiliated companies. An EKH-recognised company:
- has a quality management system in place (such as ISO certification)
- is certified annually by an independent inspection body
- is subject to random checks of the work carried out by its inspectors
- operates with integrity and professional competence
To ensure proper quality assurance, EKH also has an independent complaints and disputes committee and a guarantee committee.
The role of EKH in the examination of lifting equipment
In the Netherlands, the practical implementation of the inspection and examination of lifting equipment is set out in the working instructions of EKH. EKH translates legislation and standards into clear and practical working instructions. These rules determine which components must be checked and how these checks must be carried out.
Lifting appliances
For lifting appliances, the working instructions and examination methods are summarised in a handbook. For each type of lifting appliance, it describes which checks, measurements and tests must be carried out during an examination or re-examination.
Lifting accessories
For lifting accessories, the working instructions are set out in a separate handbook. For each type of lifting accessory, it specifies which checks, measurements and, where applicable, tests must be carried out.
Exception: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
Please note: our EKH members do not inspect Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). A MEWP is lifting equipment designed for lifting persons and therefore does not fall within the category of lifting appliances or lifting accessories.
Mobile Elevating Work Platform Inspection
EKH and the training of inspectors and inspection companies
EKH also provides training and certification for inspectors and sets quality requirements for affiliated companies, including certification, independent inspections and random checks. In this way, EKH safeguards the quality and reliability of examinations of lifting equipment.
Below-the-Hook Inspector Training
Above-the-Hook Inspector Training
Questions about the examination of lifting equipment
Do you have questions about the examination of lifting equipment, working as an inspector, or operating as an EKH-recognised inspection company? For technical questions, explanations of the working instructions and practical support, you can contact the EKH Industry Association.