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Inspection of Lifting Equipment

Lifting gear holds heavy loads over people. When it fails, the results are often severe, so inspection and correct use come first.

What counts as lifting equipment?

Floor jacks, jack stands, engine hoists, chain hoists, come-alongs, slings, chains, shackles, hooks, lift tables, loader attachments and forklifts all count. Each has its own limits, labels and manuals. Equipment that you use only occasionally is the easiest to forget.

Official rules for some lifting equipment apply to employers and vary by type of work. OSHA can tell you what applies to your operation and your state agency may add rules.

Equipment that sits unused for months can develop problems quietly, so inspect before the first use of the season, not just on the day you need it in a hurry.

Why does inspection matter?

Wear, corrosion, cracks, bent parts, stretched chain links, frayed slings and leaking hydraulics are not always visible at a glance. Equipment can fail without warning, and shock loading, overload and misuse make failures more likely.

A person under a failed load has little chance. That is why prevention, not rescue, is the focus.

A load that is above the rating can fail without much warning, and the rating can drop with the angle of a sling or the way a load is attached. The manual explains how, so read it.

What should a pre-use check include?

Read the label for the rated capacity and make sure the load is within it. Inspect the whole item and its connections. Look for cracks, deformation, rust, wear, leaks, missing parts, damaged labels and anything that was not there last time. Check the surface where you will set up and make sure it is firm and level.

If anything looks wrong, do not use the item. Tag it and report it. Specific inspection criteria, such as how much wear is too much, come from the manufacturer and from official standards, not from memory.

Keep a flashlight and a clean cloth in your inspection routine, since grease and dirt hide cracks. Photograph anything unusual so that you can show a dealer or repair shop what you saw.

• Capacity label legible and load within it.
• No cracks, bends, stretch or heavy corrosion.
• Hydraulics free of leaks.
• Hooks, latches and pins in place and working.

How often should formal inspections happen?

Besides checking before each use, many items need periodic inspection by a qualified person, with records. How often depends on the equipment, use and rules that apply. Ask the manufacturer and OSHA, and your insurer may also have requirements.

Keep a log with the date, item, condition and who checked it. Remove items that fail from service and either repair them as the manufacturer directs or replace them.

If a qualified outside inspector is needed, ask your equipment dealer, insurer or state agency to recommend one. Do not hire based on price alone.

What are the rules for safe use?

Never stand under a load supported only by a jack or hoist. Use stands or supports designed for the purpose, set on firm ground. Do not exceed the rated capacity, and avoid sudden jerks and side loading unless the maker says the item allows it.

Keep people out of the area under and near the load. Tell everyone what you are about to do before you lift.

Plan the lift before you start: the weight, the path, where it will be set down and who needs to stay clear. Use a spotter if the view is blocked.

How should I store and handle slings and chains?

Keep them clean, dry and off the ground, away from sharp edges, chemicals and heat. Do not drag them through dirt or knot them. Use the correct hardware, and protect slings from sharp corners with padding as the manual describes.

Do not repair chain or slings yourself unless the maker allows it. Replacement is often the safe choice.

Hang chains and slings on racks where they can dry, and tag any that have been in contact with chemicals or heat for an inspection before reuse.

What training is available?

Hands-on training for hoists, forklifts, loaders and rigging comes from equipment dealers, safety organizations, community colleges and extension programs. Some uses require operator training under OSHA rules, so ask what applies.

In an emergency involving a crushed or trapped person, call 911. Do not attempt rescue outside your training.

Keep the operator's manual with the equipment and teach each new user to read it. Set rules about who may operate each item, and do not let untrained people try.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.