Lifting Hook Inspection Form

An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.

What a lifting hook inspection form is

A lifting hook inspection form is used to record checks of hooks on cranes, hoists and slings — looking for throat opening or stretch, a working safety latch, wear, cracks and a legible safe working load mark — before they bear a load.

This is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template; thorough examination of lifting equipment is a separate competent-person task, and the employer decides the regime.

Purpose

• Confirm the hook is marked and identified with its safe working load.
• Check the throat opening for stretch and the latch for function.
• Identify wear, cracks, distortion or corrosion.
• Record pre-use and periodic checks.

Who completes it

• A competent person for the periodic recorded inspection.
• The user, for a pre-use check before each lift.
• Defective hooks are quarantined and withdrawn.
• The employer decides who is competent to inspect.

When it is used

• Before each lift, as a pre-use check.
• On a periodic cycle for the recorded inspection.
• After any overload, shock load or suspected damage.

Typical fields

• Hook ID, type, safe working load and date.
• Markings and identification legible.
• Throat opening within limits; safety latch works.
• Wear, cracks, distortion or corrosion.
• Defects found and action taken, with sign-off.
• Example items only — adapt to the hook type.

Common mistakes

• Using a hook with a missing or broken safety latch.
• Ignoring throat opening, stretch or distortion.
• Point-loading the tip or exceeding the rated load.
• No system to withdraw a defective hook.

Document workflow

A lifting hook inspection sits alongside the lifting accessory, chain and sling checks, the lifting plan and risk assessment, and the thorough-examination record. A failed check withdraws the hook; an overload or incident triggers withdrawal and an accident report.

See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a lifting hook inspection.

Retention (high level)

Inspection and examination records are typically retained for a period defined by the applicable rules and the employer. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.

Completing and sharing as a PDF

Inspections are commonly recorded and stored as PDFs with the equipment register. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the inspection official or guarantee compliance.

Employer checklist

• Ensure hooks are marked, identified and suitable for the lift.
• Arrange competent periodic inspection and thorough examination.
• Provide a way to quarantine and withdraw defective hooks.
• Keep inspection and examination records together.

Worker notes

• Check the marking, latch and throat before each lift.
• Do not point-load the tip or exceed the rated load.
• Report and quarantine a hook that fails the check.

Country considerations

Requirements for lifting hooks, marking, inspection and examination vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.

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 hooks, inspection, examination and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make any hook safe and does not transfer responsibility.