Educational guidance on registers and logs — what each records, who maintains it, what it typically contains and how long it is generally kept. Informational only — template examples, not official documents or legal advice; a register documents activity, it does not by itself prove compliance, and employers remain responsible.
What a lifting equipment register is
A lifting equipment register is an inventory of lifting gear and accessories — slings, chains, shackles, hooks, eyebolts, hoists and lifting points — with each item’s identification, safe working load and links to its examination and inspection records.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what is listed and how each item is controlled.
Purpose
- Know what lifting gear is in use and its safe working load.
- Link each item to its thorough examination and inspection records.
- Track when examinations are due.
- Support safe lifting operations and accessory selection.
Who maintains it
- A lifting or engineering lead keeps it current.
- A competent person carries out thorough examinations.
- Users do pre-use checks and report damage.
- The employer decides scope and ownership.
When it is used
- When lifting gear is acquired, moved or retired.
- When planning examinations and inspections.
- When selecting an accessory for a lift.
- When an item is due, or fails, an examination.
Typical fields
- Item ID, type and safe working load.
- Location and links to examination and inspection records.
- Date of last examination and next due.
- Status (in service, quarantined, retired).
- Defects found and action taken.
- Example columns only — adapt to your equipment and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Using lifting gear with no identification or known safe working load.
- Missing a due thorough examination.
- Keeping damaged accessories in the rack instead of quarantining them.
- Selecting an accessory beyond its rated load.
Document workflow
A lifting equipment register works with examination and inspection records: each item links to its thorough examination, the register flags when one is due, and a failed item is quarantined and raises a corrective action. It underpins safe lifting alongside the risk assessment.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a lifting equipment entry.
Retention (high level)
Examination and register records are generally kept while the gear is in use and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Lifting registers are often held in a system with examination certificates and exported to PDF. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make it official or prove compliance.
Employer checklist
- Identify and rate each item of lifting gear.
- Link each item to its examination and inspection records.
- Track and act on examinations that are due.
- Quarantine and remove damaged or failed gear.
Worker notes
- Check lifting gear before use and confirm its safe working load.
- Never use damaged or unmarked accessories.
- Report and quarantine any item that fails a check.
Country considerations
Examination intervals and duties for lifting equipment vary by country and equipment type, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not legal advice.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for safe lifting operations, suitable gear and its examination and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.