GA1 Inspections
GA1 Inspections & Certification in Ireland
A GA1 inspection is a thorough examination of work equipment carried out by a competent person and recorded on the HSA's approved GA1 form — the Report of Inspection that proves your plant and lifting equipment is legally safe to use.
GA1 inspections for water and wastewater utilities
What a GA1 inspection covers
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, all work equipment must undergo mandatory testing and inspection. We provide certificates of thorough examination — GA1 testing and inspection — to comply with the approved HSA form for lifting equipment and machinery.
The inspection is mobile: your equipment is examined by a qualified engineer at the premises, site or quay where it is used, so nothing has to be transported off site.
Who needs a GA1 certificate?
Any employer, contractor, quarry operator, fishing or marine operator, farm or factory using lifting equipment or plant at work needs valid GA1 certification. That includes mini diggers, skid steers, 360 excavators, dumpers, teleporters, forklifts, cranes, winches and all lifting accessories.
Insurance companies do not test your equipment in order to issue a GA1 Certificate of Compliance. It is therefore vital that you contact an experienced company to inspect and test your equipment so it is maintained and safe to use by law.
How often is a GA1 inspection required?
Certification generally lasts between six and twelve months, and some items can be longer depending on the type of equipment. The GA1 certificate is valid for twelve months for site machinery such as mini diggers, skid steers and 360 excavators. Quarry brake testing and certain lifting equipment must legally be tested every six months, while the majority of plant machinery is tested every twelve months.
What happens on the day
- You call 083 870 5355 or send an enquiry with your equipment list.
- We agree a date and travel to your site anywhere in Ireland.
- Each item is thoroughly examined, function tested and, where required, brake tested.
- Defects are recorded and explained to you directly.
- Reports of Inspection are issued and synced to SiteCert, with expiry reminders so nothing lapses.
Related inspections
See plant inspections for construction and earth-moving machinery, or lifting equipment inspections for slings, chains, shackles, hoists, forklifts and MEWPs.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a GA1 form?
- The GA1 is the Health and Safety Authority's approved Report of Inspection form. It records the thorough examination of work equipment and is the document that proves the equipment was inspected by a competent person.
- How long is a GA1 certificate valid?
- A GA1 certificate is generally valid for twelve months. Lifting accessories, equipment used to lift people and quarry brake testing are usually required every six months.
- Can my insurer issue a GA1 certificate?
- No. Insurance companies do not test equipment and cannot issue a GA1 Certificate of Compliance. The inspection has to be carried out by an experienced inspection company.
- What happens if equipment fails the inspection?
- Defects are recorded on the report, the equipment should be taken out of service until repaired, and we advise on what needs to be done. Re-inspection can be arranged once repairs are complete.
- How do I get my GA1 reports?
- Inspections are synced to SiteCert, a secure cloud system, so reports are available immediately in a searchable database with automatic reminders before certification expires.