Periodic inspection of work equipment: obligations and procedure explained simply

Employers and users of machines, vehicles and work equipment have a clear legal obligation: the periodic inspection of work equipment is not a recommendation but a binding requirement of Belgian well-being at work legislation (Act of 4 August 1996 and the Code on Well-being at Work). Anyone who neglects it risks sanctions, business interruptions and, in the event of damage, the loss of insurance cover.

This guide explains which obligations apply to companies and users, how the inspection is regulated for each type of work equipment and how to organise inspections efficiently - including the practical question of what applies to rental machines.

What is called the 'UVV-Pruefung' in Germany is, in Belgium, the periodic inspection by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT). It derives from the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment).

Legal basis at a glance:

The Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work forms the overarching framework: employers must keep work equipment in good condition and have it inspected regularly. The Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment) specifies this by type of equipment:

• Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work - general prevention principles and employer obligations
• Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV - cranes and lifting equipment (periodic inspection by an EDTC/SECT)
• Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV - forklifts and other equipment for transporting goods
• Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV, and the Belgian Highway Code - vehicles (cars, trucks, company vehicles)
• Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV - periodic inspection of aerial work platforms by an EDTC/SECT

The inspection obligation lies with the user - not necessarily the owner. What matters is who actually uses the work equipment and is responsible for it:

• Owner is not the same as user: anyone who buys machines and uses them themselves is the user. Anyone who rents out equipment transfers the user obligations to the hirer for the rental period.
• Hirer = user: with rented work equipment, the hirer takes on all user obligations - including the daily visual and functional check before each use.
• Exception for Luibl Rental machines: the periodic inspection is the responsibility of the rental company. Luibl Rental delivers all rental machines with a valid inspection report - the daily check remains with the operator.

The inspection frequency follows from applicable Belgian safety rules. Risk assessment, intensity of use and manufacturer specifications may require shorter intervals.

Work equipment	Inspection frequency	Legal basis	Inspector
Forklifts / equipment for transporting goods	periodic check, annually in practice; as lifting equipment (basket, hook): as for cranes	Code Art. IV.2-14; ARAB/RGPT Art. 280/281	competent person (internal or external); EDTC/SECT as lifting equipment
Aerial work platforms	before first use, then full examination at least every 12 months; safety-related parts at least every 3 months	ARAB/RGPT Art. 280/281	EDTC/SECT
Cranes	before first use, then full examination at least every 12 months; safety-related parts at least every 3 months	ARAB/RGPT Art. 280/281	EDTC/SECT
Construction machinery (excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers)	periodic check; when lifting loads: as for cranes	Code Art. IV.2-14; when lifting ARAB/RGPT Art. 280/281	competent person; when lifting EDTC/SECT
Telehandlers	periodic check; as lifting equipment (hook, basket): as for cranes	Code Art. IV.2-14; ARAB/RGPT Art. 280/281	competent person; EDTC/SECT as lifting equipment
Cars / company vehicles (commercial use)	under Belgian rules for vehicle roadworthiness testing	Belgian vehicle regulations	approved inspection body

Indicative information; risk assessment and manufacturer specifications take precedence.

All inspections with legal basis and competent inspector in detail: Inspection of work equipment at a glance ->

The periodic inspection is carried out by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT), in line with applicable Belgian safety rules and NBN EN standards.

Luibl Rental does not offer qualification or inspection services for third parties. More about approved inspection bodies: Who may carry out the periodic inspection? ->

Visual inspection

External check for damage, corrosion, missing parts, illegible markings and obvious safety defects - without operating the machine.

Function test

Check of all operating and safety devices during operation: brakes, controls, safety cut-outs, signalling devices, hoists, emergency lowering and other safety-relevant functions.

Load test (depending on the machine)

For cranes and aerial work platforms, a load test with a defined test load may be required.

Documentation and inspection report

Inspection results are recorded in writing in an inspection report. If the inspection is passed, the equipment receives a valid inspection report. Keep the documents in line with applicable Belgian safety rules.

Inspection costs vary according to machine type, inspection scope and the inspection body commissioned. Indicative market ranges:

• Forklifts: approx. 80-200 € per inspection
• Aerial work platforms: approx. 100-250 € per unit
• Cranes: approx. 200-600 € (depending on crane class and inspection type)
• Construction machinery: approx. 80-250 € per machine
• Cars / company vehicles: approx. 30-80 € per vehicle

These ranges are guide values. Obtain comparative quotes from approved inspection bodies.

Vehicles used as work equipment fall under the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV - independently of the statutory technical inspection of the vehicle. This applies to company cars, vans, trucks and trailers in the fleet.

Important: passing the technical inspection does not fully replace the check as work equipment, even if the inspection content overlaps. Both are legally separate requirements.

The check of vehicles as work equipment focuses on safety-relevant aspects under well-being at work legislation - installed equipment, load securing, special equipment - and complements the technical inspection.

Missing inspection records are no trivial matter:

• Sanctions under Belgian well-being at work legislation
• Prohibition of use by the Well-being at Work Inspectorate (FPS Employment) - equipment taken out of service
• Loss of insurance cover in the event of an accident at work: companies can be held personally liable
• Criminal consequences in the event of injury caused by demonstrably uninspected work equipment

Regular inspection does not only protect employees - it is an essential part of legally sound business management.

With rental machines, the rental company and the hirer share responsibility - with a clearly defined split:

Luibl Rental as the rental company: all work equipment from the Luibl rental fleet is delivered with a valid periodic inspection and an up-to-date inspection report. Our service technicians check the fleet regularly. Delivery is made with our own low-loaders - throughout Belgium, directly to your site.

You as the hirer and user: for the rental period, you bear the user obligations: daily visual and functional check before use, safe set-up and proper operation by qualified personnel. You do not need to organise the periodic inspection itself for Luibl rental equipment.

Questions about machine availability or delivery to your region? Send an enquiry now ->

Rent machines directly: Rent aerial work platforms | Rent forklifts

Is the periodic inspection required by law?

Yes. The inspection obligation for work equipment derives from the Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work and the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment). Users who cannot present valid inspection records risk sanctions, a prohibition of use and, in the event of damage, the loss of insurance cover.

How often must a periodic inspection be carried out?

The frequency depends on the type of work equipment and follows from applicable Belgian safety rules, the risk assessment and the manufacturer specifications. Details for each machine type: Inspection of work equipment at a glance ->

Who may carry out a periodic inspection?

The periodic inspection is carried out by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT), in line with applicable Belgian safety rules. Details: Who may inspect? ->

What does a periodic inspection cost?

Costs depend on the machine type and inspection scope. Forklifts: approx. 80-200 €, aerial work platforms: approx. 100-250 €, cranes depending on type approx. 200-600 €, cars/company vehicles approx. 30-80 € per vehicle. Obtain comparative quotes from approved inspection bodies.

What happens if the periodic inspection is missing or has expired?

Missing or expired inspection records can lead to sanctions, a prohibition of use and - in the event of accidents at work - the loss of insurance cover. In the event of injury, criminal consequences may follow. Have overdue inspections carried out immediately.

Who is responsible for the periodic inspection of rented machines?

Luibl Rental delivers all rental machines with a valid periodic inspection and an up-to-date inspection report. As the hirer, you bear the user obligations for the rental period: daily check and safe operation. The periodic inspection is organised by Luibl Rental as the rental company - that is not your task when renting Luibl machines.