Inspections and tests of aerial work platforms: procedure and checkpoints

Aerial work platforms - whether scissor lift, articulating boom lift, truck-mounted platform, spider lift or trailer-mounted platform - are work equipment for access at height and are subject to checks under Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll. (work equipment). As designated lifting equipment, they are subject to inspections and tests of technical equipment (Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.) - regardless of whether they are owned or rented machines.

This guide explains what operators of aerial work platforms specifically need to have inspected, which points are checked and how the daily pre-use check differs from the periodic inspection and test.

The inspection obligation for aerial work platforms derives from several regulations:

• Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll.: operators must keep work equipment in proper condition and have it inspected regularly
• Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.: inspections and tests of technical equipment - defines designated lifting equipment and the requirements for its inspection
• EN 280: European standard for aerial work platforms - safety requirements and design specifications on which the inspections are based. EN 280 in detail →
• Work at height: when working with personal fall protection equipment, additional requirements for anchor points apply under Government Regulation No. 147/2013 Coll.

An inspection is carried out once a year and a test every two years (Decree No. 508/2009 Coll., Annex 7), unless the manufacturer specifies shorter intervals. More frequent checks are advisable in particular for:

• intensive use (multi-shift operation, permanent stationing on site)
• use in corrosive, damp or dusty environments
• specific manufacturer instructions
• after an accident, overload or identified defects (special inspection)

Checks before each shift are not formal inspections - they are a separate daily duty of the operator.

This distinction is decisive in practice:

	Daily pre-use check	Periodic inspection and test
Who carries it out	Operator before each shift	Certified inspection technician
Legal basis	Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll., operating manual	Decree No. 508/2009 Coll., Annex 7
Scope	Visual check, short function test	Full visual check, function test and load test if required
Documentation	Shift log (recommended)	Inspection / test report
Interval	Before each working shift	Inspection once a year, test every two years (unless the manufacturer specifies shorter intervals)

Daily pre-use checklist (not a formal inspection, guidance for operators):

• Visual check for external damage, leaks, damaged lines
• Check of all emergency lowering devices
• Function test of travel movements (from the platform and from the ground) with safe set-up
• Check the inspection record - is the last inspection still valid?
• Check the ground before driving on

Lifting mechanism and hydraulics

• Hydraulic cylinders of all lift stages for leaks and tightness
• Hydraulic lines, hoses and connections
• Lifting speed and synchronous movement (scissors)
• Overload protection and tilt limiter

Emergency lowering and safety devices

• Function of the emergency lowering system (operation and upper control station)
• Tilt and overload sensors
• Dead man's switch and safety cut-offs
• Anti-tip and anti-buckling protection (articulating boom lifts)

Basket, guardrails and anchor points

• Work basket for structural integrity, welds, tip protection
• Fall protection: guardrail, mid-rail, toe board
• Anchor points for personal fall protection equipment (certified to EN 795, load capacity)
• Basket levelling and basket extension (on telescopic and articulating machines)

Documentation

• Inspection report with all checked items and findings
• Entry in the machine documentation
• Marking of the date of the next due inspection

The periodic inspection and test must be carried out by a certified inspection technician with relevant qualifications for aerial work platforms (Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.). In practice, this person is expected to have:

• Relevant vocational training (e.g. mechatronics technician, motor vehicle, agricultural or construction machinery mechanic)
• Professional experience with aerial work platforms
• Current professional activity with this work equipment

Luibl Rental does not offer inspection services to third parties. For external inspections, please contact authorised organisations for inspections and tests of technical equipment; the National Labour Inspectorate also provides general information. More: Who may carry out inspections and tests? →

Each type of aerial work platform has specifics relevant to inspection:

• Scissor lifts: scissor mechanism, sliding guides, synchronous movement of the scissors
• Articulating boom lifts: anti-buckling protection, all extension stages, basket levelling
• Truck-mounted platforms: additionally vehicle tyres, outriggers and steering (chassis)
• Spider lifts: track drive, footprint, terrain compensation
• Trailer-mounted platforms: stabilisers, coupling and lighting as vehicle accessories

All aerial work platforms in the Luibl rental fleet are delivered with a valid inspection and test under Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. and with an inspection record. As the renter, you bear no responsibility for the periodic inspections (once a year) and tests (every two years) - that lies with Luibl Rental.

Our own low-loader fleet ensures delivery of every platform category - scissor, articulating, truck-mounted, spider or trailer-mounted - throughout Slovakia directly to your site. For specifications and availability: Aerial work platform rental →

On authorisation to operate an aerial work platform: operators must hold a written confirmation of verified expertise issued by a certified inspection technician (Section 17(3) Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.). On handover, we provide an operator briefing. Operator competence for platforms →

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How often must an aerial work platform be inspected?

At the intervals set by Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. and the manufacturer's instructions. With intensive use, special operating conditions or after accidents, the risk assessment may require shorter intervals.

What is checked during the inspection of an aerial work platform?

The lifting mechanism and hydraulics, emergency lowering and safety devices, the basket with guardrails and anchor points for fall protection equipment, the chassis and outriggers, and all platform-specific safety functions are checked. Result: an inspection report.

Does the operator have to check the platform daily?

Yes - but this is not a formal inspection, it is a daily pre-use check under Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll. and the operating manual. Before each shift, the operator carries out a short visual check and function test. The periodic inspection and test by a competent person does not replace this daily check, and vice versa.

Who may inspect an aerial work platform?

A certified inspection technician (Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.) with relevant training, experience and current activity in the field of aerial work platforms. Luibl Rental does not offer inspection services; for external inspections, please contact authorised organisations.

Are Luibl rental platforms inspected?

Yes. All rental aerial work platforms are delivered with a valid inspection and test under Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. and with an inspection record. The periodic inspections are the responsibility of Luibl Rental as the rental company.