Periodic crane inspections: Czech safety rules in practice

Periodic crane inspections are among the most demanding inspection duties in the commercial sector - and among the most expensive in the event of damage if they are neglected. Cranes are designated lifting equipment and are subject to special requirements that go beyond the general operator obligations under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll.: in addition to periodic inspections by a competent person, repeated tests by authorised testing organisations may be required depending on the type of crane.

Short definition: A periodic crane inspection is a safety inspection under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll. and in line with applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards. As designated lifting equipment, cranes are inspected periodically by a competent person. Certain types of crane additionally require tests by an authorised testing organisation. The operator is responsible for ensuring the inspections take place.

The main legal bases for crane inspections:

• Occupational safety rules (Act No. 309/2006 Coll.): basic framework for safe operation, qualification requirements for inspectors and documentation of crane inspections
• Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll.: overarching regulation on work equipment; operators must ensure it is in proper condition
• CSN EN standards: specify requirements for the operation and inspection of cranes
• Manufacturer specifications: supplement the statutory minimum requirements and may prescribe stricter inspection intervals

Periodic inspection by a competent person

All cranes need to be inspected periodically by a competent person qualified for cranes - the interval follows from applicable Czech safety rules, CSN EN standards and the manufacturer's instructions. This inspection includes a visual and functional check and, where applicable, a load test.

Repeated tests by an authorised testing organisation depending on crane type

Certain types of crane - in particular tower cranes, overhead and gantry cranes and derrick cranes - may additionally be subject to repeated tests carried out by a test engineer of an authorised testing organisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA). The exact intervals are governed by the applicable regulations and vary by type of crane.

The qualification requirements for crane inspections are more detailed than for other work equipment:

Inspector	Qualification	Scope of inspection
Competent person	Crane qualification in line with applicable Czech safety rules; relevant training, professional experience, current activity in the field	Periodic inspection; visual, functional and load test
Test engineer	Engineer of an authorised testing organisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA)	Repeated tests depending on crane type; greater depth of inspection

Difference from a routine inspection: While a lot of work equipment can be inspected by an in-house competent person, the applicable regulations may require an external testing organisation for certain types of crane. The distinction depends on the type of crane.

Luibl Rental does not offer inspection or qualification services to third parties. For inspections by external experts and test engineers, please contact authorised testing organisations. Details on the qualification of inspectors: Who may carry out periodic inspections? ->

A complete crane inspection in line with applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards covers:

Load-bearing equipment and load handling:

• Steel ropes for broken wires, wear and deformation; check replacement criteria against the manufacturer's instructions and CSN EN standards
• Hooks for opening, twisting and cracks
• Attachment points and spreader beam mountings

Travel gear and running gear:

• Travel wheels and rails for wear and tracking (on overhead and gantry cranes)
• Travel drives and brakes

Hoist and drive:

• Hoist motor, gearbox, rope drum and rope guide
• Hoist limit switches and overload protection
• Hoist braking devices

Safety devices:

• Wind speed meters (on cranes working outdoors)
• Crane warning signals, lighting, emergency stop
• Safety railings and fall protection at the crane operator's station

Crane logbook and documentation:

• The crane logbook is the key document for crane inspections; all inspection results are recorded in it permanently
• The crane logbook stays with the crane permanently - not just until the next inspection

Crane inspections are among the more costly inspections of work equipment. Indicative ranges:

• Small cranes and hoists (chain hoists, pillar and wall-mounted cranes, overhead cranes up to 5 t, loader cranes up to 2 t): approx. 30-140 € per inspection as a guide
• Medium-sized cranes (overhead cranes 5-50 t, loader cranes over 2 t): for example approx. 190-310 € per inspection
• Large cranes (overhead cranes over 50 t, mobile cranes): for example approx. 220-460 € per inspection
• Tests by a testing organisation: significantly more effort; obtain individual quotes

Influencing factors: type of crane, installation site, accessibility, testing organisation, travel distance, reporting effort. These ranges are indicative values without guarantee.

Anyone renting cranes from Luibl Rental receives inspected machines with complete documentation and a valid crane logbook. As the rental company, Luibl Rental takes care of the periodic inspections of its rental cranes - so when you rent, you no longer have to worry about inspecting this equipment.

We deliver with our own fleet by low-loader from Passau throughout the Czech Republic - directly to your site. For crane types, load capacity classes and availability: Rent cranes ->

Send an enquiry ->

How often does a crane have to be inspected?

Periodically - the interval follows from applicable Czech safety rules, CSN EN standards and the manufacturer's instructions; the inspection is carried out by a competent person. Certain types of crane additionally require repeated tests by an authorised testing organisation - the intervals vary by type of crane.

Who may carry out a crane inspection?

The periodic inspection is carried out by a competent person qualified for cranes. For certain types of crane, the applicable regulations may additionally require a test engineer of an authorised testing organisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA).

What is the difference between a competent person and a test engineer?

A competent person can be in-house or external and carries out the periodic inspections. A test engineer works for an authorised organisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA) with formal authorisation - carrying out the repeated tests prescribed for certain types of crane that go beyond the periodic inspection.

What does a crane inspection cost?

It depends on the type of crane and the type of inspection: as a guide approx. 30-140 € for small cranes and hoists, for example approx. 190-310 € per periodic inspection for medium-sized cranes. Tests by testing organisations involve significantly more effort - obtain individual quotes from authorised testing organisations.

Is a rental crane already inspected?

All cranes from the Luibl rental fleet are delivered with a valid periodic inspection and a complete crane logbook. Luibl Rental as the rental company takes care of the periodic inspections - so the operator does not have to organise them when renting.