Many businesses apply 12-month intervals to all their lifting equipment — including chains, slings, and shackles. Lifting accessories require examination every 6 months. This is a very common HSE finding during inspections.
The Two Intervals You Need to Know
The Full Frequency Table
| Equipment | Interval | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger hoists, lifts, MEWPs (persons) | 6 months | Reg 9(3)(a) |
| Chains, wire ropes, textile slings | 6 months | Reg 9(3)(a) |
| Shackles, hooks, eyebolts, swivels | 6 months | Reg 9(3)(a) |
| Spreader beams, lifting frames | 6 months | Reg 9(3)(a) |
| Overhead travelling cranes | 12 months | Reg 9(3)(b) |
| Mobile cranes | 12 months | Reg 9(3)(b) |
| Fork lift trucks | 12 months (truck) / 6 months (forks) | Reg 9(3)(a)+(b) |
| Fixed electric chain hoists (goods only) | 12 months | Reg 9(3)(b) |
| Vehicle inspection lifts | 12 months | Reg 9(3)(b) |
| Equipment under examination scheme | Per scheme | Reg 9(3)(c) |
Examination Schemes — Can Intervals Be Extended?
Yes — but only through a written examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. The scheme must be based on risk assessment, document the equipment covered, specify the examination intervals and scope, and be kept up to date. A verbal agreement or informal arrangement does not count. The scheme must be in writing and available for inspection.
In practice, examination schemes are most common in large industrial facilities where all lifting equipment is managed under a single framework — for example, a petrochemical plant or large manufacturing site with hundreds of assets. For most SME inspection companies, the default 6 and 12-month intervals apply.
Tracking Renewal Dates at Scale
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