Free Crane Major Inspection Record — AS 2550
A formal record template for AS 2550 crane major inspections — triggered at design-life thresholds, recommissioning, or after exceptional loading. Designed for sign-off by a NATA-accredited inspection body (ISO/IEC 17020) under Australian/NZ practice.
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What's in the record
A formal record covering everything an AS 2550 major inspection captures — from inspection trigger to engineering sign-off.
- Crane identification (asset no., manufacturer, serial, SWL, design working period)
- Inspection trigger (design life, recommissioning, post-incident)
- 12-point inspection scope (structural, NDT, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, brakes, safety devices, operational tests, fatigue assessment)
- Outcome — Approved / Approved with conditions / Failed
- Inspector sign-off including NATA accreditation number and engineering qualification
- Standards reference page (AS 2550.x, AS 1418.x, NATA, WHS Regulations)
Who uses this template
Anyone with a duty under AS 2550 to commission a major inspection — and the inspection bodies that perform them.
Crane owners / operators
Hire companies and self-owned fleets reaching design-life thresholds.
Plant managers
Mining, construction, manufacturing operators commissioning major inspections.
NATA-accredited inspection bodies
ISO/IEC 17020 inspection providers issuing major-inspection records.
Competent persons
Engineers (RPEng / RPEQ / CPEng) signing off major inspections.
Standards this record is informed by
AS 2550 prescribes the major inspection at specific thresholds. NATA accreditation under ISO/IEC 17020 is the recognised credential for inspection bodies in Australia.
When AS 2550 requires a major inspection
AS 2550 requires a major inspection when the crane reaches the end of its design working period (DWP), or after two-thirds of design life, or commonly at 10 years (mechanical) and 25 years (structural) since commissioning. Recommissioning of an old crane after a long out-of-service period also triggers it. The major inspection is more thorough than annual examination — it includes NDT of critical welds, fatigue/cumulative loading assessment, and engineering review.
- Reached design working period (DWP)
- Reached two-thirds of design life
- 10 years since commissioning (mechanical assessment)
- 25 years since commissioning (structural assessment)
- After exceptional loading event or modification
- Recommissioning after long out-of-service period
AS 2550 standard structure
AS 2550 is a multi-part standard. Part 1 is the general safe-use requirements; Parts 3, 5, 10, 11, etc. cover specific equipment types (bridge/gantry, mobile, MEWPs, vehicle-loading). The major inspection record applies across types — adapt the scope to your equipment.
- AS 2550.1 — General safe-use requirements
- AS 2550.3 — Bridge and gantry cranes
- AS 2550.5 — Mobile cranes
- AS 2550.10:2025 — Mobile elevating work platforms (current)
- AS 2550.11 — Vehicle-loading cranes
- AS 1418.x — Crane design (multi-part, separate standard)
NATA accreditation
In Australia, major inspections of cranes are commonly performed by NATA-accredited inspection bodies under ISO/IEC 17020. NATA accreditation is recognised by Australian regulators, insurers, and major-project owners as objective evidence of inspection competence. The record's sign-off block includes a NATA accreditation number field.
- ISO/IEC 17020 — Inspection Body accreditation
- NATA-accredited under ISO/IEC 17020 with a lifting-equipment scope of accreditation
- NATA reports recognised under international Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA)
Frequently asked questions
An annual inspection is the routine third-party inspection a competent person performs every 12 months. A major inspection is triggered at specific lifecycle thresholds — end of design working period, 10 years (mechanical), 25 years (structural), or after exceptional loading. Major inspection includes NDT of critical welds, fatigue assessment, and engineering review beyond the scope of an annual.
Related resources
More free templates and resources for inspection professionals.
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View resourceLifting Device Certification (AS 4991)
Below-the-hook lifting devices — design verification and proof load.
View resourceGuide: The 10-Year Major Inspection
Triggers, scope, cost, and the major-inspection-or-replace decision under AS 2550.1.
View resourceStill managing inspections on paper?
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