Initial Inspection and Commissioning of New Work Equipment

When is an initial inspection of work equipment required?

When a new press is set down in the workshop or a compressor is moved to another building, the production side's question is usually "when do we start it up?". The OHS side's question is "what inspection must it pass before it is put into use?". The legal basis for this inspection, known on site as the initial inspection of work equipment, is Art. 7 of the Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment.

Under Art. 7/2-a, periodic inspections of work equipment are carried out by persons authorised to carry out periodic inspections in the following cases:

1. For equipment whose safety depends on installation and assembly conditions, after it is installed and before it is used for the first time,
2. After major maintenance and repair work,
3. For non-mobile equipment, after every relocation,
4. For scaffolds, mast climbing work platforms, tower cranes and the like, after first installation; for equipment that can be raised or modified, after every raising or modification.

In practice, "initial inspection of work equipment" refers to this inspection. The initial inspection does not replace the annual inspection in the Annex III tables; it starts it. The date of the next periodic inspection is written in the initial inspection report.

Which inspection in which situation? Summary table

A contract in line with the template on ISG-KATİP (the Ministry's online OHS registration system) is drawn up between the person carrying out the inspection and the employer at least 1 day before the inspection and mutually approved (Art. 7/6). The report includes the EKİPNET registration number of the person who carried out the inspection (Art. 7/5). The results are recorded with a wet signature or secure electronic signature and kept to be shown to the authorities on request (Art. 7/2-c). For the contract steps, see our article on ISG-KATİP contract approval.

Relocated machine inspection: it is not "the same machine"

Moving a machine makes it as uncertain as a new machine: foundations and anchors are redone, energy and air connections are re-established, and guards are removed and refitted. For this reason, non-mobile equipment is inspected after every relocation. Points often overlooked in relocated machine inspection:

• Relocations within the factory are also covered, not just moves to another address.
• The machine is not started until fixed guards and interlocked door switches removed during transport have been reconnected.
• If the phase sequence changes, motors may rotate in the wrong direction; the first start-up is done at low speed and under control.
• Hired or temporarily used equipment does not change the employer's obligations (Art. 5/3). If mobile equipment not subject to installation and assembly conditions is used outside the premises, the latest periodic inspection report is kept with the equipment (Art. 7/3).

New machine commissioning checklist

The authorised person's initial inspection is only one step in the employer's commissioning process. Complete this list before releasing the machine to production:

1. Documents: Have the CE marking, EU declaration of conformity and Turkish-language user manual been received? The written instructions to be given to employees are prepared taking account of the manufacturer's Turkish user manual and kept next to the equipment (Art. 10). For how to read the documents, see our article on machinery safety and CE.
2. Installation: Has the machine been installed on the floor and with the anchoring specified by the manufacturer? Have the risks of vibration and overturning been assessed?
3. Energy connections: Was the electrical connection made by an authorised electrician, and have earthing and residual current protection been checked? Are the pneumatic and hydraulic connections leak-tight?
4. Guards: Are all fixed and movable guards in place, and does motion stop when interlocked doors are opened?
5. Emergency stops and controls: Are emergency stop buttons reachable from every working position and working? Are the controls clearly marked?
6. Energy isolation and lockout: Have the isolation points for all of the machine's energy sources been identified and added to the lockout instruction?
7. Surrounding layout: Is there enough space around the machine for a pedestrian route, a material area and maintenance access, and has the floor been marked?
8. Instructions and training: Have the operator, setter and maintenance staff been trained? Under Art. 11, an employee who will use the equipment is trained on the risks and means of protection before using it; those who will maintain and adjust equipment involving specific risks receive adequate specific training.
9. Authorisation: Equipment involving specific risks is used only by persons assigned to this task; its repair, inspection, maintenance and putting into service are also carried out by specially assigned persons (Art. 8). Make the assignment in writing.
10. Risk assessment: New equipment is a change that requires the risk assessment to be renewed regardless of its period. Have the machine-specific hazards and controls been added to the assessment?
11. Operator daily check form: Under Annex III 1.3, the operator carries out a visual check and function test before each use and records it. Has a machine-specific form been prepared?
12. Calendar: Has the next inspection date in the initial inspection report been entered in the OHS calendar?

Common mistakes in post-installation inspection

• The thought that "the machine is new, no inspection is needed". The CE marking shows the manufacturer's design responsibility; it does not show that the installation was done correctly.
• Postponing the initial inspection until the annual inspection. For equipment whose safety depends on assembly, the inspection is carried out before first use.
• Not counting moves within the factory as relocation. A fixed machine changing department is also a relocation.
• Forgetting the electrical installation. Adding a new line or panel may fall within major maintenance and repair.
• Not keeping the report. Documents issued as a result of periodic inspections are kept for as long as the work equipment is in use (Annex III 1.6).

If you voluntarily have equipment inspected that is not listed in the Annex III tables, no form or contract requirement applies to the report issued (Art. 7/6). For all the periods in the tables, see our article on periodic inspection intervals for work equipment, and for interpreting the results in the report see how to read a periodic inspection report. Our article on rotating part risks on lathes and milling machines guides operator rules for lathes and milling machines started up after installation.

The 2026 basic administrative fine for failing to have the required inspections and measurements carried out is 33,326 TL; it is increased according to the size and hazard class of the workplace. Bursa Sistemer OSGB plans initial and annual inspections with authorised persons in metal and machinery businesses in Bursa and the surrounding provinces as part of our periodic inspection service; the commissioning checklist and risk assessment update are part of our OHS specialist service. For sector-specific risks see our metal and machinery page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an initial inspection required for a newly bought CE-marked machine?

Yes, if the machine's safety depends on installation and assembly conditions. Under Art. 7 of the Work Equipment Regulation, the inspection is carried out by authorised persons after installation and before first use. The CE marking does not replace this inspection.

We moved a machine to another department within the factory; is a new inspection required?

Yes, if it is non-mobile equipment. Art. 7 requires a periodic inspection after every relocation of non-mobile equipment; a move within the factory is also a relocation.

Does the initial inspection replace the annual periodic inspection?

The initial inspection starts the equipment's inspection cycle. The next inspection is carried out within the maximum period in Annex III, or within a shorter period if the standard specifies one; the date is written in the inspection report.

Should we ask for an inspection report for a forklift we hire?

Yes. Being hired does not change the employer's obligations. Ask for the equipment's current periodic inspection report when hiring, keep the report at the workplace and record the operator's daily check.