Periodic inspection of aerial work platforms: intervals and checkpoints

Aerial work platforms — whether scissor lifts, articulating boom lifts, truck-mounted platforms, spider lifts or trailer-mounted platforms — are work equipment for access at height and are subject to periodic inspection under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll. Periodic inspection in line with applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards applies to every platform type — regardless of whether the machines are owned or rented.

This guide explains what operators of aerial work platforms (lifting platforms) specifically need to have inspected, which points are checked, and how the daily pre-use check differs from periodic inspection under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll.

The inspection requirement for aerial work platforms derives from several sets of rules:

• Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll.: operators must keep work equipment in proper condition and have it inspected regularly
• Occupational safety rules (Act No. 309/2006 Coll.): the general framework for safety at work, on which the requirements for the content and scope of inspections under applicable CSN EN standards build
• CSN EN 280: the European standard for aerial work platforms — safety requirements and design principles on which inspections are based. CSN EN 280 in detail →
• Work at height (Government Regulation No. 362/2005 Coll.): when working with personal fall protection equipment, additional requirements apply to anchor points

The interval for periodic inspections follows the manufacturer's instructions and applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards. Shorter intervals are advisable in particular for:

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

Checks before each shift are not periodic inspections under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll. — they are a separate daily duty of the operator.

This distinction is crucial in practice:

	Daily pre-use check	Periodic inspection
Carried out by	Operator before each shift	Suitably qualified person
Legal basis	Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll., operating manual	Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll., CSN EN standards
Scope	Visual check, short function test	Full visual and functional test, load test if required
Documentation	Shift record (recommended)	Inspection report + inspection sticker
Interval	Before each shift	According to manufacturer's instructions and applicable rules

Checklist for the daily pre-use check (not a periodic inspection, guidance for operators):

• Visual check for external damage, leaks and damaged lines
• Check of all emergency lowering devices
• Function test of travel movements (upper and lower controls) with safe set-up
• Inspection sticker — is the last periodic inspection still valid?
• Ground check before driving on

Lifting mechanism and hydraulics

• Hydraulic cylinders of all lifting stages – 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 (ground controls and upper control station)
• Tilt and overload monitors
• Dead man's switch and safety cut-outs
• Anti-tip and anti-buckling devices (articulating boom lifts)

Basket, guardrails and anchor points

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

Documentation

• Inspection report with all inspected items and findings
• Entry in the inspection log / machine documentation
• Inspection sticker attached showing the date of the next inspection

Periodic inspection must be carried out by a suitably qualified person for aerial work platforms in line with applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards. Typical requirements:

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

Luibl Rental does not offer inspection services for third parties. Accredited testing organisations can help you find external, recognised inspectors. Further reading: Who may carry out periodic inspections? →

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 device, all extension stages, basket levelling
• Truck-mounted platforms: additionally vehicle tyres, outriggers and steering (chassis)
• Spider lifts: track drive, contact area, terrain compensation
• Trailer-mounted platforms: stabilisers, coupling and lighting as vehicle equipment

All aerial work platforms from the Luibl rental fleet are delivered with a valid periodic inspection and a current inspection sticker. As the hirer, you are not responsible for the periodic inspection of the machine — that lies with Luibl Rental.

Our own fleet of low-loaders ensures delivery of every platform category — scissor, articulating, truck-mounted, spider or trailer-mounted — from Passau throughout the Czech Republic directly to your site. For machine specifications and availability: Rent aerial work platforms →

On authorisation to operate (required operator qualification): Luibl provides non-binding information on external, recognised training providers. Platform operator authorisation →

Send an enquiry ->

How often must an aerial work platform be periodically inspected?

At intervals according to the manufacturer's instructions and applicable Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards. With intensive use, special operating conditions or after accidents, the risk assessment may require shorter intervals.

What is checked during a periodic inspection of an aerial work platform?

The inspection covers the lifting mechanism and hydraulics, emergency lowering and safety devices, the basket with guardrails and anchor points for personal fall protection equipment, the chassis and outriggers, and all safety functions specific to the platform type. Result: inspection report and inspection sticker.

Does the operator have to check the platform daily?

Yes — but this is not a periodic inspection; it is a daily pre-use check under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll. Before each shift, the operator carries out a short visual and functional check. Periodic inspection by a qualified person does not replace this daily check, and vice versa.

Who may inspect an aerial work platform?

A suitably qualified person with relevant training, professional experience and recent work in the field of aerial work platforms. Luibl Rental does not offer inspection services; accredited testing organisations can help you find external inspectors.

Are Luibl rental platforms inspected?

Yes. All rental aerial work platforms are delivered with a valid inspection sticker under Government Regulation No. 378/2001 Coll. Periodic inspection is the responsibility of Luibl Rental as the lessor.