Periodic inspection of work equipment: duties, frequency and process explained simply

Employers and users of machines, vehicles and work equipment have a clear legal obligation: the periodic inspection of work equipment under the Working Conditions Decree is not a recommendation but a binding requirement of Dutch occupational health and safety legislation (Working Conditions Act and Working Conditions Decree). Anyone who neglects it risks fines, business interruptions and, in the event of damage, the loss of insurance cover.

This guide explains the duties of business owners and users, how inspection frequency is determined for each item of work equipment and how to organise inspections efficiently - including the practical question of what applies to rental machines.

In Germany this inspection is called 'UVV-Pruefung'. In the Netherlands, the basis is Dutch occupational health and safety legislation: the Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment), governs the periodic inspection of work equipment.

Legal basis at a glance:

The Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment) forms the overarching framework: employers must keep work equipment in good condition and have it inspected periodically. For each type of machine this is specified further in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules and NEN-EN standards:

• Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) - general obligations of the employer
• Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 - cranes (periodic inspection of work equipment)
• Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 - forklifts and industrial trucks
• Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 - vehicles used as work equipment
• Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 - periodic inspection of aerial work platforms

The inspection obligation lies with the user - not necessarily the owner. What matters is who actually uses the work equipment and is responsible for it:

• Owner ≠ user: anyone who buys machines and uses them themselves is the user. Anyone who rents out transfers the user obligations to the hirer for the rental period.
• Hirer = user: with rented work equipment, the hirer takes over all user obligations - including the daily visual and functional check before each use.
• Exception for Luibl Rental machines: the periodic inspection is the responsibility of the rental company. Luibl Rental delivers all rental machines with a valid inspection sticker - the daily pre-use check remains with the operator.

The inspection frequency follows from applicable Dutch health and safety rules, the risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E), the intensity of use and the manufacturer's instructions. These may require shorter intervals.

Work equipment	Inspection frequency	Legal basis	Inspector
Forklifts / industrial trucks	periodic, per RI&E and manufacturer	Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7	Competent person
Aerial work platforms	periodic, per RI&E and manufacturer	Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7	Competent person
Cranes	periodic, per RI&E and manufacturer	Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7	Competent person / accredited inspection body
Construction machinery (excavator, wheel loader, dumper)	periodic, per RI&E and manufacturer	Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7	Competent person
Telehandlers	periodic, per RI&E and manufacturer	Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7	Competent person
Cars / company vehicles (commercial)	periodic, per RI&E and manufacturer	Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7	Competent person / garage

The figures are indicative; the RI&E and the manufacturer's instructions take precedence.

All inspection frequencies with legal basis and responsible inspector in detail: Inspection frequency for all work equipment at a glance →

The inspection must be carried out by a competent person in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules. Requirements: relevant vocational training, work experience with the equipment to be inspected and recent professional practice. For certain crane classes, an accredited inspection body (for example TUV or DEKRA) may also be required.

Luibl Rental does not offer qualification or inspection services to third parties. For external, recognised providers of training as a competent person: Who may inspect work equipment? →

Visual inspection

External check for damage, corrosion, missing components, 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, hoists, emergency lowering and other safety-relevant functions.

Load test (depending on the machine)

For cranes and aerial work platforms, a load test with a defined test load is required in certain inspection cycles.

Documentation and inspection sticker

Inspection results must be recorded in writing (inspection report, inspection log). If the inspection is passed, the equipment receives an inspection sticker. Records must be kept at least until the next inspection, and permanently in the crane log for crane inspections.

Inspection costs vary by machine type, inspection scope and the inspection body commissioned. Indicative market ranges:

• 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 inspection)
• Construction machinery: approx. 80-250 € per machine
• Cars / company vehicles: approx. 30-80 € per vehicle

These ranges are indicative. Obtain comparative quotes from certified inspection bodies.

Vehicles used for business fall under Dutch occupational health and safety legislation as work equipment and must be checked periodically - separately from the statutory periodic vehicle inspection. This applies to company cars, vans, trucks and trailers in the fleet.

Important: a passed statutory vehicle inspection does not fully replace the inspection as work equipment, even if the inspection items overlap. The two are legally separate requirements.

The inspection of vehicles as work equipment focuses on safety-relevant aspects in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules - built-in equipment, load securing, special equipment - and complements the statutory vehicle inspection.

Missing inspection records are no trivial matter:

• Fines from the Netherlands Labour Authority for breaches of Dutch occupational health and safety legislation
• Shutdown of the work equipment by the Netherlands Labour Authority
• Loss of insurance cover in the event of an occupational accident: business owners may be held personally liable for damage
• Criminal consequences in the event of injury caused by demonstrably uninspected work equipment

Regular inspection does not only protect employees - it is an essential part of legally compliant business management.

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

Luibl Rental as the rental company: all work equipment from the Luibl rental fleet is delivered with a valid periodic inspection and current inspection sticker. Our service technicians check the fleet regularly. Delivery is made with our own low-loaders - throughout the Netherlands, directly to your site.

You as hirer and user: for the rental period, you bear the user obligations: daily visual and functional check before use, safe set-up and proper operation by qualified personnel. You do not have to organise the periodic inspection itself for Luibl rental machines.

Questions about availability or delivery to your region? Contact us →

Rent machines directly: Rent aerial work platforms | Rent forklifts

Is the periodic inspection of work equipment required by law?

Yes. The inspection obligation for work equipment follows from Dutch occupational health and safety legislation, in particular the Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment). Users who cannot show a valid inspection record risk fines, shutdowns and, in the event of damage, the loss of insurance cover.

How often must a periodic inspection be carried out?

The inspection frequency follows from applicable Dutch health and safety rules, the RI&E and the manufacturer's instructions. Intensive use or particular risks may require shorter intervals. Details on all machine types: Inspection frequency at a glance →

Who may carry out a periodic inspection?

The inspection must be carried out by a competent person in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules - with relevant training, work experience and recent professional practice. For certain crane classes, an accredited inspection body (for example TUV or DEKRA) may be required. Details: Competent person explained →

What does a periodic inspection cost?

Costs depend on the machine type and inspection scope. 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 certified inspection bodies.

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

Missing or expired inspection records can lead to fines, shutdowns and - in the event of occupational accidents - the loss of insurance cover. Injuries may result in criminal consequences. Have overdue inspections carried out immediately.

Who is responsible for the periodic inspection of rented machines?

Luibl Rental delivers all rental machines with a valid periodic inspection and current inspection sticker. As the hirer, you bear the user obligations for the rental period: daily pre-use check and safe operation. Luibl Rental organises the periodic inspection as the rental company - when renting Luibl machines, this is not your task.