The responsibility for the maintenance and inspection of a crane lies with the employer or the owner of the lifting equipment. They are legally obliged to ensure that crane systems are safe and inspected before use. This applies to all types of cranes, from overhead travelling cranes to gantry cranes, in every industrial environment in the Netherlands.
In practice, part of that responsibility is carried out by certified inspection bodies and specialised maintenance companies. The law sets clear requirements as to who may carry out an inspection, how often it must take place, and what the consequences are if you fail to comply. The questions below answer the most frequently asked questions about crane maintenance and crane inspection.
Who is officially authorised to inspect a crane?
A crane may only be officially inspected by an accredited inspection body or a certified inspector. In the Netherlands, the inspecting party must demonstrably possess the required expertise, certification, and independence to carry out a legally valid inspection. Internal employees without certification are not permitted to perform this task.
Accredited inspection bodies are designated by the government or meet the requirements for accredited inspection institutions. They assess whether a crane meets the applicable safety standards and technical requirements. After a successful inspection, you receive an inspection report or inspection certificate demonstrating that the lifting system is safe for use.
It is important to distinguish between an internal safety check by an authorised person and an official periodic inspection. A daily or weekly check by an operator or technical employee is valuable and mandatory, but never replaces the official inspection by an external, certified party.
What does the law say about crane maintenance and inspection?
Dutch legislation requires employers to keep lifting equipment, including cranes, in a safe condition. This is laid down in the Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), particularly in the articles concerning the use of work equipment. The employer bears final responsibility for compliance with these rules, regardless of whether maintenance is carried out internally or externally.
Specifically, the legislation stipulates that:
- Lifting equipment is regularly inspected and maintained
- The inspection is carried out by a competent and certified body
- Inspection results are documented and retained
- Defects are remedied immediately before the crane is put back into service
In addition to the Arbobesluit, the European Machinery Directive and the standard NEN-EN 13001 also play a role in the requirements that crane structures must meet. For new cranes, the CE marking serves as proof that the system meets European safety requirements. Crane maintenance legislation is therefore a combination of national and European regulations that together safeguard safety in the workplace.
How often must a crane be inspected?
In the Netherlands, a crane must be inspected at least once a year by an accredited inspection body. This is the legally required periodic inspection. Depending on the intensity of use, the environmental conditions, and the type of crane, a higher inspection frequency may be necessary.
In addition to the annual inspection, obligations also apply for:
- Daily checks: The operator checks the visible condition of the crane, cables, hooks, and brakes before use
- Periodic inspections: Depending on usage, monthly or quarterly inspections by a technical employee may be required
- Inspection after incidents: After an accident, overload, or major maintenance, the crane must be re-inspected before it is put back into service
- Inspection upon commissioning: A new or thoroughly overhauled crane must always be inspected before it becomes operational
The exact frequency is partly determined by the risk assessment that the employer is obliged to carry out. For cranes that are used intensively or operate in demanding conditions, such as in the steel industry or chemical sector, a higher inspection frequency is the norm.
What is the difference between crane maintenance and crane inspection?
Maintenance and inspection are two different obligations that complement but do not replace each other. Maintenance is the totality of preventive and corrective work to keep a crane in good condition. Inspection is a formal assessment by a certified party that establishes whether the crane is safe and compliant with the standards.
What falls under crane maintenance?
Maintenance encompasses all technical work that extends the service life of the crane and prevents breakdowns. Think of lubrication of moving parts, replacement of wear parts such as cables and brake linings, inspection of electrical installations, and adjustment of safety systems. Maintenance is carried out on the basis of a maintenance plan tailored to the use and construction of the crane.
What does a crane inspection involve?
An inspection is a structured assessment in which a certified inspector evaluates whether the crane meets the statutory safety requirements. The inspector checks the structure, the mechanical and electrical components, the safety provisions, and the documentation. The result is an official inspection report. Without a valid inspection report, a crane may in many cases not be used.
What happens if crane maintenance or inspection is skipped?
If crane maintenance or the mandatory inspection is skipped, the employer runs considerable risks in the areas of safety, liability, and legal consequences. A crane that has not been inspected or is poorly maintained poses a direct hazard to employees and the surrounding environment, and in the event of an incident the employer can be held criminally and civilly liable.
The practical consequences of skipping maintenance or inspection include:
- Increased risk of breakdowns and accidents due to undetected wear or technical defects
- Legal liability in the event of injury or material damage as a result of a crane defect
- Fines and shutdown by the Netherlands Labour Authority during an inspection
- Loss of insurance coverage if it turns out that the crane was not maintained or inspected in accordance with the statutory requirements
- Reputational damage with customers, partners, and regulators
The costs of proper maintenance and timely inspection are always lower than the costs of an incident, a production shutdown, or legal proceedings. Acting preventively is not only a legal obligation, but also sound business practice.
When do you bring in an external party for crane maintenance?
You bring in an external party for crane maintenance when the required knowledge, certification, or equipment is not available internally, or when the law requires it. For the official periodic inspection, engaging an accredited external inspection body is always mandatory. But for preventive maintenance and technical overhauls, external expertise is often the smartest choice as well.
Situations in which an external party is necessary or strongly recommended:
- The annual legally required crane inspection
- Maintenance on complex or non-standard crane systems requiring specialist knowledge
- Overhaul or repair after an incident or overload
- Commissioning of a new or modified crane
- Situations where internal employees are insufficiently certified for specific tasks
An external partner that can handle both maintenance and inspection offers the advantage of a single point of contact and a complete picture of the condition of your crane system. This reduces the risk of miscommunication and ensures a consistent maintenance history, which is of great importance during inspections and audits.
How we help with crane maintenance and inspection
As an accredited crane manufacturer and inspection body, we offer a fully comprehensive approach to the maintenance and inspection of your crane systems. Whether it concerns an overhead travelling crane, a gantry crane, or a complex custom solution, we ensure that your installation remains safe, inspected, and operational.
What we arrange for you:
- Annual crane inspection by our certified inspectors, including an official inspection report
- Preventive and corrective maintenance based on a maintenance plan tailored to your specific crane system and intensity of use
- A single point of contact for coordination, planning, and communication throughout the entire maintenance and inspection process
- Complete documentation so that you always meet your statutory obligations and pass audits without worry
- Expertise in non-standard crane systems that require specific technical knowledge
Would you like to know what we can do for the maintenance and inspection of your crane system? View our full range of services or contact us directly for a no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an internal employee carry out the official crane inspection?
No, an official periodic inspection may only be carried out by an accredited, certified inspection body. Internal employees may carry out daily or periodic safety checks, but these never replace the legally required external inspection.
What should I do if my crane shows a defect during an inspection?
If an inspector identifies a defect, the crane may not be used until the problem has been resolved. After the repair, the crane must be re-inspected by a certified party before it may be put back into operation.
How do I correctly store my inspection documentation?
Inspection reports and maintenance records must be demonstrably retained and be immediately available during an inspection by the Netherlands Labour Authority or an audit. Ensure a structured (digital) file per crane system, including all inspection dates, findings, and completed repairs.
Does the inspection obligation also apply to hired cranes?
Yes, for hired cranes too, the employer or user is responsible for safety and compliance with the inspection obligations. When hiring a crane, always make clear agreements with the lessor about who is responsible for maintenance and inspection, and always request a valid inspection report.