Choosing an EWP Inspection Provider: What to Look For
Not all inspection providers are equal. This guide sets out what to look for so your certification is defensible when it matters most.
An inspection certificate is only worth as much as the competence behind it. After an incident, a regulator or insurer will scrutinise not just whether an inspection was done but who did it and how. Choosing a provider is therefore a risk decision, not a price decision. This guide sets out what separates genuine engineering assurance from a rubber stamp.
Competence and independence
The person signing off a major inspection or engineering report should be a competent person in the true sense: an experienced engineer, ideally chartered, with specific expertise in lifting and access equipment. Ask who will actually perform and sign the work, not just which company is engaged.
Independence matters too. A provider that only inspects, and does not sell or hire the equipment it assesses, has no commercial incentive to overlook defects. Independent engineering judgement is precisely what a duty holder needs to be able to defend a decision to keep a machine in service, or to retire it.
NDT capability and standards knowledge
A credible provider carries out non-destructive testing in-house or through certified personnel, and can explain which methods they apply to which components and why. NDT operators should be certified to a recognised scheme such as AS 3998. A provider that offers a 'major inspection' with no NDT is not doing a major inspection.
They should also demonstrate current knowledge of the relevant standards: AS 1418.10 and AS 2550.10 for EWPs, the AS 1418 and AS 2550 crane series where relevant, and the AS/NZS electrical standards for insulated machines. If they cannot tell you which standard a finding relates to, be cautious.
- Chartered or demonstrably competent engineers signing off
- Certified NDT personnel and clear method selection
- Current knowledge of AS 1418.x, AS 2550.x and electrical standards
- Independence from equipment sales and hire
Reporting quality and warning signs
The report is the deliverable. A good one identifies the machine precisely, lists components examined, records measurements and NDT results, states findings against acceptance criteria, and gives a clear determination and next inspection interval. A one-page certificate with no detail is a warning sign, as is a provider that passes everything quickly and cheaply with no findings ever recorded.
Other red flags include reluctance to explain findings, no updating of log books or plates, and pressure to sign off a machine that clearly has defects. The best providers are transparent, will walk you through their findings, and treat a defensible report as the whole point of the engagement.
Ready to ensure your equipment is compliant?
Book an inspection today or contact our engineering team for specialized testing and compliance advice.