Periodic inspection: when is it due? All inspection intervals at a glance

Operators who lose track of inspection intervals bear the full liability risk. The ARAB/RGPT (Art. 280 and 281) requires fixed inspections by an EDTC/SECT for lifting equipment such as aerial work platforms and cranes; the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), also requires regular checks of all work equipment - depending on the equipment, the conditions of use and the manufacturer's instructions. This page brings together the inspection rules for all common machine types in one table - compact and ready to use.

The following table shows the interval, the legal basis and the inspector for each category of work equipment. Before applying it: the risk analysis and the manufacturer's instructions take precedence — they may require shorter intervals.

Work equipment	Inspection interval	Legal basis	Competent inspector
Forklifts / industrial trucks	regular checks, in practice usually annual; when used as lifting equipment (e.g. with a work basket): as for aerial work platforms	Code on Well-being at Work, Art. IV.2-14	competent person (internal or external); as lifting equipment: EDTC/SECT
Aerial work platforms	full examination at least every 12 months; safety-relevant parts at least every 3 months	ARAB/RGPT, Art. 280 and 281	external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT)
Cranes (periodic inspection)	full examination at least every 12 months; safety-relevant parts at least every 3 months	ARAB/RGPT, Art. 281	external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT)
Cranes (inspection before commissioning)	before first commissioning and after every modification	ARAB/RGPT, Art. 280	external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT)
Construction machinery (excavator, wheel loader, dumper)	regular checks based on the risk analysis and the manufacturer; when lifting loads: as for cranes	Code on Well-being at Work, Art. IV.2-14	competent person (internal or external); when lifting: EDTC/SECT
Telehandlers	as lifting equipment: full examination at least every 12 months, safety-relevant parts at least every 3 months	ARAB/RGPT, Art. 280 and 281	external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT)
Trailers (commercial use)	in line with applicable Belgian rules	the Belgian Highway Code (Royal Decree of 1 December 1975)	competent inspector under Belgian rules
Cars / company vehicles	in line with applicable Belgian rules	the Belgian Highway Code (Royal Decree of 1 December 1975)	competent inspector under Belgian rules

The intervals for lifting equipment are statutory minimum requirements; the other figures reflect common practice. The risk analysis and the manufacturer's instructions may require shorter intervals.

Statutory minimum intervals are minimum requirements — not recommendations. The inspection frequency actually required results from:

Risk analysis: the operator must assess the conditions of use. Forklifts in multi-shift operation on tight indoor logistics floors have a different risk profile from a forklift that is only occasionally moved in an outdoor storage area. If you work in shifts, consider shorter inspection intervals.

Manufacturer's instructions: operating manuals often prescribe specific inspection intervals that are stricter than the statutory minimum intervals. The manufacturer's instructions take precedence over the statutory minimum interval — not the other way round.

Intensity of use and environment: chemical environments, moisture, extreme temperatures or dust increase wear and require more frequent inspections.

Condition and age: older work equipment and machines with many operating hours usually require shorter inspection intervals.

When does the inspection interval start? The interval runs from the date of the last passed inspection — not from the purchase date or the date of first commissioning. Exception: lifting equipment such as aerial work platforms and cranes is inspected by an EDTC/SECT before first commissioning and after every modification (ARAB/RGPT, Art. 280).

Proof: the proof of inspection consists of:

1. Inspection sticker on the work equipment showing the date of the next inspection
2. Inspection report / inspection register with complete documentation of all inspected items, defects found and measures taken

For lifting equipment such as cranes and aerial work platforms: the official report of the pre-commissioning inspection and the detailed report of each periodic inspection stay with the user and must be available to the inspectorate at all times. If work equipment is used outside the company, physical proof of the last inspection must accompany it (Code, Art. IV.2-14).

An expired inspection interval is not a formal error that can be remedied after the fact. The consequences:

• Ban on use by the Well-being at Work Inspectorate (FPS Employment) — immediate shutdown of the work equipment
• Penalties under applicable Belgian regulations
• Loss of insurance cover for occupational accidents involving uninspected work equipment
• Personal liability of the employer for personal injury

If you find that an inspection date has been exceeded: take the work equipment out of service immediately and have the inspection carried out. More on the consequences: Periodic inspection of lifting equipment: obligations and procedure →

When you rent machines from Luibl Rental, you take on the operator's obligations for the rental period — but not the periodic inspection. Luibl Rental delivers all work equipment with a valid inspection sticker and complete documentation. Managing the inspection intervals for these machines is no longer your concern when you rent.

Delivered by low-loader to your site throughout Belgium. Rent machines → | Contact →

When is the periodic inspection due?

For lifting equipment - aerial work platforms, cranes and forklifts or telehandlers used as lifting equipment - the rule is: a full examination by an EDTC/SECT at least every 12 months and an inspection of the safety-relevant parts at least every 3 months (ARAB/RGPT, Art. 281). For other work equipment, such as forklifts in normal use, the Code (Art. IV.2-14) requires regular checks by a competent person; in practice these usually take place once a year. Shorter intervals may result from the risk analysis, the manufacturer's instructions or special conditions of use. The rules for each machine type are listed in the table above.

Does the inspection interval run from the purchase date or from the last inspection?

From the last passed inspection. The purchase date is not relevant for the current inspection interval. Lifting equipment must also be inspected by an EDTC/SECT before first commissioning (ARAB/RGPT, Art. 280).

Which machines need to be inspected more often?

Lifting equipment such as aerial work platforms and cranes: ropes, chains, hooks, brakes and all other safety-relevant parts are inspected at least every 3 months (ARAB/RGPT, Art. 281); in practice, EDTC/SECT bodies therefore inspect this equipment quarterly. In addition, the risk analysis may require shorter intervals: shift work, aggressive environments (moisture, chemicals) or high operating hours are typical triggers for more frequent inspections.

Where can I find out when my machine needs to be inspected?

On the inspection sticker on the machine, in the inspection report / inspection register, for lifting equipment in the ARAB/RGPT (Art. 280 and 281) and for all work equipment in the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment). The manufacturer's operating manual also contains requirements on inspection intervals. If in doubt: ask your prevention adviser or an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT).