Free crane inspection checklist
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PDF-ready crane inspection checklist for mobile and overhead cranes. Covers structural, wire ropes, hooks, brakes, controls, safety devices and load testing. Free to download.
Last updated: April 2026
Commercial Director
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See the first part of the crane inspection checklist below. Download the full version above.
What is a crane inspection checklist?
A crane inspection checklist is a structured form used to inspect and document the condition of a crane at regular intervals. It covers all safety-critical components, including structural members, wire ropes, hooks, sheaves, brakes, controls, safety devices, load indicators and electrical systems. The checklist ensures that cranes are safe to operate, identifies defects before they cause failures, and provides documented evidence of compliance with Australian WHS regulations and AS 2550 standards.
Benefits of using this crane inspection checklist
- Safety: identify worn or damaged components before they cause a failure or incident.
- Compliance: documented inspections to meet WHS and AS 2550 requirements.
- Reduced downtime: catch issues during scheduled inspections rather than mid-lift.
- Insurance requirements: many insurers require documented inspection records for crane cover.
- Liability protection: demonstrated inspection history provides a defence in incident investigations.
- Component tracking: monitor wear trends on wire ropes, brakes and structural members over time.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move your checklists from paper to MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Escalate critical hazards instantly to safety managers via push notification.
- Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
- Correlate incident trends across sites with built-in safety analytics.
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What to include in a crane inspection checklist
This crane inspection checklist covers 13 key areas:
- Crane details: type, make/model, serial number, SWL/WLL, registration, site location.
- Inspection details: date, inspector name, inspection type, hours/cycles.
- Structural: boom, jib, mast, turntable, outriggers, chassis, welds, pins, bolts.
- Wire ropes and chains: diameter, lay length, broken wires, corrosion, lubrication, terminations.
- Hooks: throat opening, twist, wear, safety latch, markings.
- Sheaves and pulleys: groove wear, bearings, guards, alignment.
- Brakes: hoist, slew, travel, emergency, adjustment, wear.
- Controls: levers, pedals, switches, cab instruments, load moment indicator.
- Safety devices: anti-two-block, load indicator, limit switches, anemometer, level indicator.
- Electrical: motors, contactors, wiring, pendant, collector bars, earthing.
- Load testing: proof load, functional test, SWL verification.
- Defect register: item, severity, action required.
- Sign-off: inspector, crane supervisor.
How to use this crane inspection checklist
- Record crane details and current hours/cycles.
- Conduct visual inspection with crane powered off.
- Inspect wire ropes, hooks and structural members in detail.
- Power up and test all controls, brakes and safety devices.
- Record all defects with severity ratings.
- Sign off, tag crane status and update the service record.
In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
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Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
Crane inspections follow a tiered schedule. Daily pre-operational checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Monthly inspections cover major components (wire ropes, hooks, brakes, safety devices). Quarterly inspections include detailed structural and rope assessments. Annual major inspections are comprehensive and should be performed by a competent person. Cranes in high-use or harsh environments may require more frequent inspections. In MapTrack, you can schedule each inspection tier and track compliance across your entire crane fleet.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of cranes need regular inspections?
- All cranes require regular inspections under Australian WHS regulations and AS 2550 (Cranes, hoists and winches). This includes mobile cranes (all-terrain, rough-terrain, truck-mounted), tower cranes, overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, crawler cranes and vehicle loading cranes (hiab). Each type has specific inspection requirements based on its configuration and use.
- How often should cranes be inspected?
- Cranes require multiple inspection frequencies. Daily pre-operational checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Monthly inspections cover a more detailed assessment of major components. Quarterly inspections include wire rope and structural checks. Annual inspections (major inspections) are comprehensive and typically require a competent person or licensed assessor. Ten-year major inspections involve non-destructive testing of structural components.
- Who is qualified to inspect a crane?
- Daily pre-operational checks can be performed by a trained and competent operator. Periodic and annual inspections should be performed by a competent person with relevant crane inspection experience and qualifications. Major structural inspections and load testing must be conducted by a licensed assessor or engineer. In Australia, crane inspectors should hold relevant competencies under the national WHS framework.
Need to digitise safety inspections and compliance forms?
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