Who may carry out periodic inspections of lifting equipment? The competent person explained
Short answer: who may carry out periodic inspections?
The question "Who may carry out the periodic inspection of work equipment?" has a clear answer in the regulations - and considerable consequences in practice if it is answered wrongly. An inspection carried out by an unqualified person is legally worthless: the inspection record is deemed not to have been issued and the work equipment is deemed uninspected.
The inspection must be carried out by a competent person in line with applicable Czech safety rules. This is a person with relevant vocational training, proven experience with the type of work equipment being inspected and current professional activity. For designated lifting equipment (e.g. cranes) the requirements are stricter - here inspections are carried out by an inspection technician or an authorised testing organisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA).
The competent person: requirements
Czech occupational safety rules set clear requirements for competent persons. Three criteria must be met at the same time:
Relevant vocational training
The training must enable an understanding of the equipment being inspected. For forklift inspections this can be a mechatronics technician or motor vehicle technician; for aerial work platforms a mechatronics technician or agricultural and construction machinery mechanic; for cranes an engineer or technician specialising in crane inspections.
Experience with the work equipment being inspected
The experience must relate to the specific machine type. Someone with experience only of passenger cars is not a competent person for forklift inspections - even if they have the same field of training.
Current professional activity
Activity in the relevant field must be current - past training without current practice is not enough. The regulations do not define "current" precisely; as a guide, uninterrupted practical work with the type of work equipment in question applies.
Competent person, inspection technician, testing organisation: the differences
These three terms are often confused in practice - but they have different meanings and different requirements:
| Term | Requirement | Used for | Typical players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent person | Training + experience + current activity | Periodic inspection of most work equipment under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll. (forklifts, platforms, construction machinery) | In-house safety technicians, external inspectors with specialist knowledge |
| Inspection technician | Competent person with a specific qualification for lifting equipment | Periodic inspections of designated lifting equipment | Specialist fitters, crane specialists |
| Testing organisation | Accreditation or authorisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA) | Tests on selected designated lifting equipment; greater inspection depth | Accredited test engineers |
The terms build on each other: every test engineer is also a competent person, but not every competent person is a test engineer.
Who may inspect which machine?
Forklifts
Inspector: competent person with experience in forklifts. A test by a testing organisation is not required. Details: Periodic forklift inspections ->
Construction machinery
Inspector: competent person with knowledge of the machine class concerned. Details: Periodic inspections of construction machinery ->
Cranes
Periodic inspection: inspection technician (competent person specialising in cranes). For selected designated lifting equipment: test by an accredited testing organisation. Details: Periodic crane inspections ->
Aerial work platforms
Inspector: competent person with a suitable qualification for aerial work platforms in line with applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards. Details: Periodic inspections of aerial work platforms ->
In-house or external inspection: a decision guide
A competent person can be provided in-house (within your own company) or externally (by an inspection organisation). Criteria for the decision:
In-house inspection makes sense if:
- You have a large fleet of your own and the corresponding qualification
- Inspection staff receive regular further training and are currently active
- Documentation processes are established
External inspection makes sense if:
- You have a small or mixed fleet
- You have no qualified persons in-house
- Acquiring the competent person qualification is not economical
- The regulations require a test by a testing organisation (selected designated lifting equipment)
For rental machines from Luibl Rental this decision does not arise: as the rental company, Luibl Rental takes care of inspections and delivers all work equipment with a valid inspection.
How do you become a competent person?
The competent person qualification is obtained from external, recognised providers - Luibl Rental does not offer training or qualification courses. Possible routes:
- In-house or external seminars by recognised training institutions (e.g. training programmes of testing organisations such as TUV or DEKRA)
- Training offers from specialist and professional associations
- Manufacturer-specific qualification programmes for certain machine classes
Rent machines with a valid inspection -> | Send an enquiry ->
Frequently asked questions
Who may carry out a periodic inspection?
A competent person in line with applicable Czech safety rules - with relevant vocational training, experience with the type of work equipment being inspected and current professional activity. For selected designated lifting equipment, a test by an accredited testing organisation is additionally needed.
What is a competent person?
A competent person is someone with relevant vocational training, proven experience and current activity in the field of the work equipment being inspected. They do not need to show certification by an external body - the qualification results from training, experience and being up to date.
May the company manager carry out the periodic inspection personally?
Yes - if they meet the requirements for a competent person: relevant training, experience with the specific machine type and current activity. An inspection carried out by a person without this qualification is legally worthless.
When must a testing organisation carry out the inspection?
For selected designated lifting equipment, the regulations require tests by an accredited testing organisation (e.g. TUV, DEKRA) - in addition to the periodic inspection by an inspection technician. Which equipment requires which type of test is set out in the applicable rules for designated lifting equipment.
Where can you qualify as a competent person?
At external, recognised training institutions: training programmes of testing organisations (e.g. TUV, DEKRA), specialist associations or manufacturer programmes. Luibl Rental does not offer training or qualifications.