Equipment inspections and tests: duties, intervals and process explained simply

Employers and operators of machines, vehicles and work equipment have a clear legal obligation: regular inspections and tests of technical equipment are not a recommendation but a binding requirement of Act No. 124/2006 Coll. on occupational safety and health, Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll. (work equipment) and Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. Anyone who neglects them risks fines, interruptions to operations and, in the event of damage, problems with insurance cover.

This guide explains the duties of businesses and operators, how inspection intervals are determined for each type of work equipment and how to organise inspections cost-effectively — including the practical question of what applies to rental machines.

In Germany these checks are called 'UVV-Pruefung'. In Slovakia they are referred to as inspections and tests of technical equipment under Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. — in substance these are mandatory safety checks of work equipment.

Legal basis at a glance:

Act No. 124/2006 Coll. on occupational safety and health forms the overarching legal framework: operators must keep work equipment in a safe condition and have it checked regularly. Related regulations specify this in more detail:

• Act No. 124/2006 Coll. – general employer duties in occupational safety and health
• Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll. – minimum safety requirements for work equipment
• Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. – inspections and tests of technical equipment, including cranes and aerial work platforms
• Government Regulation No. 147/2013 Coll. – work at height
• Act No. 8/2009 Coll. – vehicles in road traffic

The inspection duty lies with the operator — not necessarily the owner. What matters is who actually uses the work equipment and is responsible for it:

• Owner is not always the operator: Anyone who buys machines and operates them themselves is the operator. Anyone who rents them out transfers the operator duties to the hirer for the rental period.
• Hirer = operator: With rented work equipment, the hirer takes on all operator duties — including the daily visual and function check before each use.
• Exception for rental machines from Luibl Rental: Regular inspections and tests are the responsibility of the rental company. Luibl Rental hands over all rental machines with a valid inspection — the daily pre-use check remains with the operator.

Intervals are determined by applicable Slovak safety rules, manufacturer instructions and the risk assessment. Intensity of use and operating conditions may require shorter intervals.

Work equipment	Inspection interval	Legal basis	Inspector
Forklifts	in line with applicable rules and manufacturer instructions	Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll.	competent person
Aerial work platforms	inspection once a year, test every two years (Annex 7), unless the manufacturer specifies shorter intervals	Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.	certified inspection technician
Cranes	in line with applicable rules and manufacturer instructions	Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.	competent / authorised person
Construction machinery (excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers)	in line with applicable rules and manufacturer instructions	Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll.	competent person
Telehandlers	in line with applicable rules and manufacturer instructions	Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll.	competent person
Cars and company vehicles (commercial)	in line with applicable rules and manufacturer instructions	Act No. 8/2009 Coll., occupational safety rules	competent person / vehicle workshop

Figures are for guidance only; the risk assessment and manufacturer instructions take precedence.

All intervals with legal basis and responsible inspector in detail: Inspection intervals for all work equipment at a glance ->

Inspections must be carried out by a competent person in line with applicable Slovak safety rules. Requirements: relevant vocational training, experience with the equipment being inspected and recent professional activity. For designated lifting equipment, an authorised person holding the relevant authorisation is also required.

Luibl Rental does not offer qualification or inspection services to third parties. For external, recognised providers of competent-person qualifications: Who may carry out equipment inspections? ->

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, hoisting gear, emergency lowering and other safety-relevant functions.

Load test (depending on the machine)

For cranes and aerial work platforms, the tests may also include a load test with a defined test load.

Documentation and record

Inspection results must be recorded in writing (inspection report, test record). If the inspection is passed, the equipment receives proof of the completed inspection. Keep the documentation in line with applicable Slovak safety rules.

Inspection costs vary by machine type, inspection effort and the organisation commissioned. Guide ranges from the market:

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

These ranges are for guidance only. Obtain comparative quotes from authorised inspection organisations.

Vehicles used for business are subject not only to the statutory vehicle roadworthiness test but also to occupational safety requirements for work equipment. This applies to company cars, vans, trucks and trailers in the fleet.

Important: A passed roadworthiness test does not fully replace a check under occupational safety rules, even if the content partly overlaps. They are legally separate requirements.

The occupational safety check for vehicles focuses on safety-relevant work equipment aspects — operational fittings, load securing, special equipment — and complements the roadworthiness test.

Missing inspection records are no trivial matter:

• Fines from the labour inspectorate for breaches of occupational safety rules
• Prohibition of use of the work equipment by the labour inspectorate — machine taken out of service
• Risk to insurance cover in the event of a workplace accident: the employer may be liable for damages
• Criminal consequences in the event of personal injury caused by demonstrably uninspected work equipment

Regular inspections protect not only employees — they are a fundamental part of legally compliant company management.

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

Luibl Rental as rental company: All work equipment from the Luibl rental fleet is handed over with a valid inspection and proof of it. Our service technicians check the fleet regularly. Delivery is by our own low-loader fleet — throughout Slovakia, directly to your site.

You as hirer and operator: For the rental period you bear the operator duties: daily visual and function check before use, safe set-up and proper operation by qualified personnel. You do not need to organise the regular inspections yourself for Luibl rental machines.

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

Rent machines directly: Aerial work platform rental | Forklift rental

Are equipment inspections required by law?

Yes. The duty to inspect work equipment arises from Act No. 124/2006 Coll., Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll. and Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. Operators who cannot present valid proof of inspection risk fines, prohibition of use and, in the event of damage, problems with insurance cover.

How often must an equipment inspection be carried out?

Intervals are determined by applicable Slovak safety rules, manufacturer instructions and the risk assessment. Intensive use or increased hazards may require shorter intervals. Details for all machine types: Inspection intervals at a glance ->

Who may carry out an inspection?

Inspections must be carried out by a competent person in line with applicable Slovak safety rules — with relevant training, professional experience and recent activity. For designated lifting equipment, an authorised person holding the relevant authorisation is also required. Details: Who may carry out equipment inspections ->

How much does an equipment inspection cost?

Costs depend on the machine type and inspection effort. 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 authorised inspection organisations.

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

Missing or expired inspection records can lead to fines from the labour inspectorate, prohibition of use and — in the event of workplace accidents — problems with insurance cover. Personal injury can result in criminal consequences. Have overdue inspections carried out without delay.

Who is responsible for inspections of rented machines?

Luibl Rental hands over all rental machines with a valid inspection. As the hirer, you bear the operator duties for the rental period: daily pre-use check and safe operation. The regular inspections are organised by Luibl Rental as the rental company — when renting Luibl machines, this is not your task.