Crane Inspection Workflow

Educational guides on how workplace documents fit together — which document is typically completed before another, what is used alongside it and what follows. Connected to workplace forms, checklists and registers. Informational only — not legal advice; employers remain responsible for required documents and compliance.

What a crane inspection workflow is

A crane inspection workflow is the chain of documents an employer uses to keep cranes safe to lift. It links the lifting risk assessment, the crane register, the operator pre-use check, the lift plan and any lift permit, the competent-person thorough examination and the defect or out-of-service action.

This page is an educational overview of how those documents typically connect. It does not set examination intervals or define competence — the employer is responsible for ensuring cranes are examined by a competent person and lifts are properly planned, under the applicable law.

Why these documents connect

Crane lifts are high-consequence and need both equipment that is in order and a plan for the specific lift, so the documents span condition and planning. The risk assessment and lift plan decide how the lift is done; the register and thorough examination keep the crane fit; the pre-use check confirms daily condition; and a permit may control the lift itself. A defect must stop the lift.

Connecting the documents means a crane is only used when it has been examined, checked and the lift is planned, rather than relying on any one of these alone.

The typical sequence

• Required before: a lifting risk assessment, a crane register and a lift plan define the equipment and the lift.
• Used with: an operator pre-use check and, where used, a crane lift permit.
• Completed after: a competent-person thorough examination record is produced at the required intervals.
• Escalation: a defect takes the crane out of service until corrected.
• These are example steps only — adapt the sequence to your cranes and the applicable law.

When the chain runs

The chain runs before each lift through the pre-use check and the lift plan, and on the examination cycle for the crane and accessories.

It also runs when the crane is damaged, overloaded, or returned to use after repair.

Who owns each step

• The employer owns the lifting regime and ensures examinations happen.
• An appointed person plans the lift.
• The trained operator carries out the pre-use check and operates the crane.
• A competent person carries out the thorough examination.

Common mistakes

• Lifting without a plan for the specific lift.
• Treating the pre-use check as the only check.
• Using a crane past its examination date.
• No clear control of the lift area.
• Defects logged but the crane kept in use.

Records & retention (high level)

Employers generally keep the crane register, lift plans, pre-use checks and thorough examination records for as long as the crane is in use and for a period afterwards, in line with their obligations and data-protection duties.

This page does not state a required period or interval — confirm both with the applicable law and the official authority.

Sharing the workflow as a PDF

Crane registers, lift plans and examination records are commonly stored as PDFs so each crane’s history stays together and can be shared or audited. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the inspection official or guarantee compliance.

Employer notes

• Plan each lift and appoint a competent person to do so.
• Keep cranes on a register and examined by a competent person.
• Require a pre-use check before lifting.
• Take cranes with defects out of service.

Worker notes

• Operate only cranes you are trained and authorised to use.
• Carry out the pre-use check and follow the lift plan.
• Take damaged accessories out of use immediately.
• Stop the lift if anything is unsafe or unclear.

Country considerations

Lifting operations, examination intervals, competence and the official authority vary by country. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a process or form is valid anywhere.

Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.

Who is responsible

The employer is responsible for ensuring cranes are examined, lifts are planned and operations are safe, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not set intervals, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.