Under AS 2550.10, every mobile elevating work platform is due for a major inspection — at 5 years for some equipment classes and 10 years for others, depending on the machine type. It is the most thorough check in the inspection regime and, for many owners, the point at which a machine's future is decided.
Why the 10-year mark exists
Routine and periodic inspections are designed to catch wear and faults in normal operation. A major inspection goes further: it is a structured re-verification that the machine is still structurally and mechanically sound after a decade of loading, movement and environmental exposure.
The requirement flows from AS 2550.10, which specifies a major inspection point that differs by equipment class — 5 years for some machine types, 10 for others. It applies from the machine's date of manufacture, not the date you acquired it, so the clock may already be running on a used purchase.
What a major inspection typically involves
A major inspection is significantly more invasive than an annual service. It generally requires substantial disassembly so that critical components can be examined directly rather than visually assessed in place.
Depending on the machine, the scope commonly includes:
- Partial or full tear-down of the machine to access structural members, pins, bushes and bearings.
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) of critical welds and structural members to detect cracks not visible to the eye.
- Inspection and measurement of critical components such as slew rings, cylinders, pins, shafts and locking devices.
- Assessment and overhaul of hydraulic and electrical systems.
- Replacement of worn or life-expired components and re-assembly to specification.
- Functional and safety-device testing before the machine is returned to service.
- Engineering documentation certifying the outcome for the machine logbook.
Planning for the inspection
Because a major inspection takes a machine out of service for an extended period, it should be planned rather than reacted to. Knowing the manufacture dates across your fleet lets you forecast when each unit falls due and stagger the work to avoid losing multiple machines at once.
The inspection also produces a clear, evidence-based view of an asset's condition, which is valuable input to a keep-versus-replace decision. In some cases the cost and downtime of a major inspection on an older, heavily-worked machine will inform a decision to retire or replace it instead.
Independence and record-keeping
The credibility of a major inspection rests on the competence of the people carrying it out and the integrity of the resulting record. Keeping inspection findings separate from any commercial pressure to pass a machine helps ensure the assessment reflects the true condition of the asset. The certification and reports produced become a permanent part of the machine's compliance history.
This guide is general information prepared by EWP Australia and is grounded in publicly available Australian Standards and Safe Work Australia material. It is not a substitute for the current published edition of the relevant standard or for site-specific engineering advice. Always work from the current standard and consult a competent person for your specific equipment and application.