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If you own an elevated work platform (EWP) in Australia, including a spider lift or truck-mounted EWP, the logbook that comes with it is very important. It’s a legal record of your machine usage and as a business owner you’re obligated to keep it up-to-date.
If you don’t fill it in correctly, you’re exposed to regulators, insurers and anybody investigating an incident on your site.
So what goes into an EWP log book and what are you, as the owner, responsible for? We’re going to break it down for you below.
What Is an EWP Logbook?
The logbook for your elevated work platform, such as a cherry picker or boom lift, is its ongoing maintenance and inspection record. Everything from when it was commissioned to the present day needs to be documented in it – inspections, services, repairs and defects.
The logbook can be a physical document or a digital version accessed via software from a phone or tablet. In this instance there would sometimes be a QR code on the EWP that can be scanned for access to the records.
Whichever method you use, the logbook needs to be easily accessible – it’s the legal paper trail proving your machine is maintained properly and safe to use. It demonstrates compliance with Australian Standard AS 2550.10, which sets out the requirements for the operation and maintenance of EWPs.
What Goes Into Your Logbook
The logbook isn’t just for major services. It covers the full maintenance picture, including:
- Pre-operational check records
- Routine service records (typically every 90 days)
- Periodic inspection records (annual)
- Major inspection records (your major 10-year inspection and the five-year ones after that)
- Details of any repairs carried out and parts replaced
- Defect notices that identified a fault that took the machine out of service
- Operator details where relevant
- Modifications made to the machine
The level of detail in the logbook is important. If there’s a service or an incident with the machine, the date should be noted as well as who carried out the work and what was done.
Who’s Responsible for Keeping the Logbook
If you’re the machine owner, the responsibility sits with you.
Under WHS legislation, the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is responsible for the plant under your control. That includes making sure the logbook exists, is being maintained and is available for inspection.
If you buy a second-hand EWP or sell one of yours, the logbook records need to stay with it. If you get your EWP serviced, you need to ensure the service records are captured in your logbook.
As the owner, you’re the responsible party.
What If There’s an Incomplete or Missing Logbook?
A missing or patchy logbook creates a few different problems:
- Regulatory: operating an EWP without proper maintenance records is a WHS breach for which fines can apply.
- Insurance: An incomplete maintenance history can give your insurer grounds to dispute a claim if something goes wrong. If there are no records it’s difficult to prove the cherry picker, spider lift or truck-mounted EWP has been properly maintained.
- Incident investigation: If someone is injured on or near your EWP, the maintenance history will be examined. Gaps in the record will raise questions.
None of this is about being caught out. It’s about being able to show — clearly and quickly — that you’ve done the right thing.
What If Your Logbook Is Incomplete or Missing?
Second-hand EWPs do change hands without a full service history. It happens. If you find yourself in this situation, here’s what to do about it:
- Start by gathering whatever records you can. Previous service invoices, inspection certificates, compliance plates. You can establish a partial history this way.
- Then, commission a full inspection by a qualified EWP technician. This gives you a documented baseline for the machine’s current condition. All your future service records will build on top of this.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it will put your machine in a much better position than one with nothing on file.
How Altequip Can Help
Altequip is the Australian sales outlet for Socage spider lifts and truck-mounted EWPs. We also have an on-site servicing department, where factory-trained technicians maintain EWPs of all makes and models.
When your machine comes in for a service or inspection, you’ll enjoy the benefits of our fully paperless service documentation system. The documentation is emailed directly to you, with SMS and email reminders coming through about your next service so nothing slips through the cracks.
If you’ve got questions about your logbook obligations or want to book in a service, give us a ring on 1800 762 243 or contact us here. Our team is always happy to help.
