Summary
GA1, GA2 and GA3 at a glance
GA1, GA2 and GA3 are record forms published by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for inspections required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. GA1 and GA2 cover lifting equipment; GA3 covers equipment used for work at a height.
| Form | What it records | How often |
|---|---|---|
| GA1 | Report of thorough examination and testing of lifting equipment, by a competent person | At the intervals the regulations require; the form records the latest date for the next examination |
| GA2 | Report of weekly examination of lifting equipment used on construction sites | Weekly |
| GA3 | Report of inspections of work equipment for work at a height, such as scaffolds and working platforms | After installation or assembly, at suitable intervals, and within the previous 7 days for a construction working platform with a fall of 2 m or more |
GA2
What goes on a GA2 (weekly examination of lifting equipment)
A GA2 records the weekly examination of lifting equipment on a construction site, such as cranes and other lifting appliances. It names the contractor or owner, the site address, the lifting appliance and how it is identified, the date, the result of the inspection and who carried it out. The result should say whether all working gear, and all anchoring or fixing plant or gear, is in good working order, including the automatic safe load indicator and the derricking interlock where required.
- Checked componentsRated capacity indicator or limiter; wire rope and chain systems; limit switches; ropes on their sheaves; structure; hooks and other lifting attachments.
- Also checkedHydraulic and electrical systems; fuel lines; brakes and clutches; the operator's cab and controls; the anemometer where fitted; other matters from the manufacturer or user.
- For each itemWhether it is in good working order, and whether action is required.
GA3
What goes on a GA3 (work at a height)
A GA3 records inspections of scaffolds, guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers, fixed and mobile working platforms, nets, airbags and other fall-arrest safeguards, personal fall protection, rope access systems and ladders. For each item it records the location and description, identification marks, the date and time, the results including any defects, corrective action taken, further action needed, and the name, position and signature of the person who inspected it.
- Before useEquipment whose safety depends on how it is installed or assembled must be inspected in position before it is used.
- 7-day ruleA working platform used for construction work, from which someone could fall 2 m or more, must have been inspected in that position within the previous 7 days.
- 24 hoursThe inspector must give the report to the person the inspection was carried out for within 24 hours.
- Keeping itThe employer keeps the report on site until the construction work is finished, and then at an office of the employer.
Legal status
Do you have to use the HSA forms?
No. The HSA describes each of these as not an approved or statutory form: the legal duty is to carry out and record the examination or inspection, and reports may be produced in other formats, such as a digital inspection app. A GA3 does not replace the thorough examination reports that lifting equipment needs (GA1 and GA2).
Official forms
Download the official forms
The forms are free to download from the HSA. Check the HSA website for the current version before use.
For suppliers
When the inspections start
Weekly lifting-equipment examinations and 7-day scaffold inspections begin when a project reaches site. PlanningBrief tracks projects from planning through to the start of work, so scaffold, crane-hire and safety suppliers can see which projects are about to need them.
About PlanningBrief
Which sites are starting near you
PlanningBrief tracks planning applications, decisions and site starts across Ireland, so contractors and suppliers can see work before it reaches site.