Lifting Equipment Inspection & Certification: What You Need to Know
(And How Safeguard from Hoistech Makes It Easier)
If your business relies on lifting equipment—whether cranes, slings, jibs, gantries, or hoists—ensuring it’s legally compliant and safe to operate isn’t just good practice. It’s the law. Across Ireland and the EU, lifting gear must be thoroughly inspected, certified, and maintained on a regular basis under regulations like LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations).
In this article, we’ll explain how inspections work, what certification involves, and how Hoistech’s Safeguard system simplifies the whole process—so your business stays safe, compliant, and audit-ready at all times.
What Is a Statutory Thorough Examination?
A thorough examination is a legally required inspection of lifting equipment carried out by a competent person at scheduled intervals—typically every 6 or 12 months, depending on the equipment and use.
Examples of lifting equipment requiring certification include:
– Overhead cranes
– Chain and wire rope hoists
– Lifting beams and spreader bars
– Forklift attachments
– Slings, shackles, hooks, eyebolts
– Mobile gantries
– Jib cranes
Once passed, your equipment receives a GA1 certificate—proof that it has met the safety requirements.
Why Certification Matters
– Legal Obligation: Under Irish law, all lifting equipment must be certified and documented to be legally operated.
– Workplace Safety: Faulty or worn gear can fail catastrophically, endangering lives.
– Audit Compliance: The Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and internal auditors often ask for GA1 records during inspections.
– Operational Continuity: Certification helps identify wear early—avoiding unexpected equipment failure and costly downtime.
What’s Covered in a Thorough Examination?
A qualified inspector checks for:
– Cracks, deformation, or corrosion in frames, trolleys, beams
– Wear or stretch in chains, ropes, and slings
– Brake, clutch, and control function
– Load limiters, emergency stops, and electrical faults
– Secure mounting and structural soundness
– Clear identification and labelling
– Signs of misuse, overloading, or unsafe modifications
GA1 Certificate: Your Proof of Compliance
After inspection, you’ll receive a GA1 form detailing:
– What was inspected
– Date of examination
– Any defects found or actions taken
– The next due date for inspection
This certificate is required by law and must be stored and retrievable for audit purposes.
Make Life Easier with Safeguard by Hoistech
Managing all this paperwork, scheduling inspections, and keeping your records audit-ready can be a major admin burden—especially if you’re tracking dozens (or hundreds) of lifting assets.
That’s where Safeguard comes in: Hoistech’s powerful digital system that tracks, stores, and automates everything related to your lifting equipment.
What Safeguard Offers:
– Real-Time Inspection Logging: Engineers upload reports and photos onsite—no paperwork chasing.
– Centralised Compliance Dashboard: See what’s certified, what’s due, and where action is needed—instantly.
– Certificate Storage: GA1s, CE plates, maintenance records, and installation data are always available and searchable.
– Audit Readiness: Show inspectors exactly what they need with a few clicks.
Bonus Features:
– QR codes on equipment link directly to its inspection record
– Tracks breakdowns, repairs, and decommissions
– Supports preventative maintenance scheduling
– Works on desktop or mobile—ideal for field or factory teams
What to Do Next
1. Book a Thorough Examination: Ensure all lifting gear is inspected and certified.
2. Start Logging with Safeguard: Digitise your lifting equipment compliance instantly.
3. Stay Ahead of Audits: Know what’s due and avoid last-minute panics.
Summary
Staying compliant with lifting equipment regulations isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s about protecting your people, avoiding production stoppages, and reducing long-term risk. With Hoistech’s certified inspections and Safeguard system, you gain total control over your equipment safety—digitally, efficiently, and without the usual hassle.
Need a site review or Safeguard demo? Let us know and we’ll walk you through what it looks like to manage lifting compliance the smart way.
