Heavy equipment inspection and construction equipment compliance checklist
Version 1 · https://conformata.io/checklists/construction/heavy-equipment-inspection-checklist · Made with Conformata. Guidance, not legal advice; sources at https://conformata.io/checklists/construction/heavy-equipment-inspection-checklist/sources
Heavy equipment inspection and construction equipment compliance checklist
Free heavy equipment inspection and construction equipment compliance checklist based on 29 CFR 1926.600-602: brakes, ROPS, alarms and parking.
How often: At the beginning of each shift for off-highway motor vehicles. For earthmoving and other equipment, the standard calls for frequent and regular inspections by competent persons; follow the manufacturer's daily inspection list and your organization's schedule.
- Sections
- 5
- Checks
- 47
- Critical
- 14
- Sources
- 50
0/45 answered
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Unit number, make and model *
Type of equipment *
Off-highway haul or dump truck on a closed jobsiteEarthmoving: loader, dozer, scraper, grader, tractor or off-highway truckTractor with backhoe, breaker or similar attachmentLift truck, stacker or other industrial truckOther construction equipment
Date of inspection *
Shift
Operator's name *
The operator is qualified by training or experience to run this machine *
YesNo
Hour meter reading
h
Off-highway motor vehicles are checked at the beginning of each shift. The parts that rule names (brakes, tires, horn, steering, coupling devices, seat belts, operating controls and safety devices) are critical because defects are corrected before the vehicle is placed in service; the lights, wipers, reverse alarm and extinguisher checks are not critical but are still put right. That rule does not cover earthmoving equipment under 1926.602: for those machines an item is critical where it fails a Part 1926 requirement (brakes, horn, seat belt), because non-compliant equipment is tagged, locked out or removed; otherwise the critical flag is your organization's choice. Use the manufacturer's daily inspection list as well.
Service brakes stop and hold the machine *
YesNo
Parking brake (hand brake) holds the machine *
YesNo
Emergency stopping system works *
YesNoN/A
Steering responds without binding, pulling or excessive play *
YesNo
Tires have no cuts, bulges or exposed cords and look properly inflated *
YesNoN/A
Horn works and can be heard above the surrounding noise *
YesNo
Seat belt is present, latches and releases, and has no cut or frayed webbing *
YesNoN/A
Operating controls move freely and return to neutral *
YesNo
Safety devices (guards, interlocks, cab shield, canopy) are in place and work *
YesNo
Coupling devices and trailer brake connections are secure and undamaged *
YesNoN/A
Reverse signal alarm works and is audible above surrounding noise, or a signaler will guide every reversing move *
YesNoN/A
Brake lights work, and headlights and taillights work where visibility calls for them
YesNoN/A
Windshield is not cracked or broken, and powered wipers (and defroster where needed) work
YesNoN/A
Fire extinguisher is on board, charged and secured where the machine carries one
YesNoN/A
Rollover protective structure (ROPS) is fitted and shows no cracks, bends or missing bolts *
YesNoN/A
ROPS label shows the manufacturer, ROPS model and the machine it fits
YesNoN/A
Any ROPS that was removed has been remounted with bolts or welds of equal or better quality
YesNoN/A
Cab glass is safety glass and has no distortion that affects safe operation
YesNoN/A
A haulage vehicle loaded by a crane, shovel or loader has a cab shield or canopy protecting the operator
YesNoN/A
Dump body has a permanently attached support that can be locked up for maintenance and inspection
YesNoN/A
Hoisting or dumping levers have a latch that prevents accidental starting or tripping
YesNoN/A
Scissor points on a front-end loader that endanger the operator are guarded
YesNoN/A
Lift trucks show their rated capacity where the operator can clearly see it
YesNoN/A
Tracks, rollers and sprockets have no broken, cracked or missing parts and track tension is within the manufacturer's range
YesNoN/A
Oil, fuel, coolant or hydraulic fluid is leaking *
YesNo
Engine oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid levels are within the manufacturer's range *
YesNo
Bucket, blade, teeth, cutting edges and attachment pins are secure and undamaged
YesNoN/A
Blades, buckets and dump bodies are fully lowered or blocked when not in use or under repair *
YesNo
Any raised machine or part is blocked or cribbed before anyone works under or between it
YesNoN/A
When parked, the parking brake is set, and on inclines the wheels are also chocked *
YesNo
Equipment left unattended at night next to a highway or active work area has lights, reflectors or lit barricades
YesNoN/A
The machine will stay at least 10 feet from lines rated 50 kV or less (more for higher voltages), and an observer is assigned where clearance is hard to judge
YesNoN/A
Access roads and grades are built and kept in condition for the equipment using them *
YesNo
No unauthorized person rides on the machine, and any passenger has a secured seat *
YesNo
Tools and materials carried in a compartment with workers are secured
YesNoN/A
Every defect found was corrected before the machine was placed in service *
YesNoN/A
Decision *
No defects affecting safety: placed in serviceDefect found: tagged out or controls locked until repaired
Describe each defect and where it is on the machine
Photos of defects
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Inspector's signature
Sign the printed copy, or sign electronically in Conformata.
I inspected this machine at the start of the shift as recorded above.
Signature
Name and date
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Frequently asked questions
How often should heavy equipment be inspected?
Off-highway vehicles on a jobsite are checked at the beginning of each shift [25]. For other construction equipment the standard calls for frequent and regular inspections by competent persons designated by the employer [6] without naming an interval, so follow the manufacturer's daily inspection list and your company schedule.
What has to be checked at the start of each shift?
Service brakes and trailer brake connections, the parking and emergency brakes, tires, horn, steering, coupling devices and seat belts [29], plus operating controls and safety devices [30]. Lights, reflectors, wipers, defrosters and fire extinguishers are also checked where the vehicle needs them [28].
What happens if the inspection finds a defect?
When does construction equipment need a backup alarm?
When the operator has an obstructed view to the rear. A motor vehicle with an obstructed rear view needs a reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise [34], or it is backed up only when an observer signals that it is safe [35]. Earthmoving and compacting equipment follows the same approach [47].
Built from 50 official sources
Every check traces to the text it is based on. Read the purpose, how to use it, the rules behind it, what it does not cover and every source.
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Guidance, not legal advice. It does not replace the law, the manufacturer's instructions or your organization's competent people, and completing it does not certify that work is safe.