Service and Maintenance

Employers must ensure that equipment is thoroughly examined before it is put into service for the first time and after any significant change that affects its operation. If the equipment is obtained from another undertaking, it must be accompanied by physical evidence that it has been examined. Where safety depends on the installation conditions, it must be thoroughly examined on each occasion after installation or assembly and before use.

Equipment must be thoroughly inspected at least every six months if intended for carrying people, at least every 12 months if used for other purposes, or according to a scheme devised by the examiner. Examinations should also take place after any exceptional event such as accident or dangerous occurrence. Examinations must be carried out by competent persons who are sufficiently independent and impartial for objective decisions to be made. Examinations may involve the performance of tests as determined by the competent person.