Follow the 10 key points for daily inspection of suspended platform to fully check suspension frames, counterweights, wire ropes, safety locks, hoists, platform structure, electrical systems, limit devices, emergency descent tools and safety lifelines before high-altitude work. This standardized pre-use inspection checklist for suspended working platforms helps construction operators spot damaged parts in advance, avoid falling accidents, comply with construction safety regulations and ensure stable and safe operation of electric gondolas for building exterior construction and cleaning projects. Once the suspended platform is installed, what should we focus on during daily use? How do we inspect it, and what constitutes compliance? Let’s go through the checklist item by item. Below are 10 key points inspection for suspended platform.

10 key inspection points for suspended platform

1. Inspecting the Safety Lock

For the safety locks commonly used on electric suspended platforms, the main inspection points are as follows:

Check if the internal mechanism is lubricated: Push it manually from left to right; it should spring back naturally when released.
Check for automatic locking when the platform tilts: Raise the platform about 1 meter, then raise one end while keeping the other stationary; check if it locks automatically once a certain tilt angle is reached.
Ensure the working rope passes through the inner side of the pulley and the safety rope passes through the center of the safety lock—do not mix them up!
Check for a valid certificate of conformity and ensure the annual inspection is up to date.

If any issues are found, adjust or replace the unit immediately.

2. Inspecting the Motorized Gondola Limit Switch

Manually trigger the limit switch to see if it immediately cuts off the upward movement circuit: It is functioning correctly if pressing it stops upward movement and releasing it allows movement to resume.
Check the contact point between the limit switch and the limit plate: It must make firm contact without slipping off; do not tie it down permanently with wire.
Inspect the housing for damage or water ingress; the internal microswitch should spring back crisply when pressed—replace it immediately if it fails to spring back.

Check the site for any non-compliant conditions; if found, replace the parts immediately!

3. Inspecting Platform Bolts

Focus on the bolts connecting the floor panel to the side rails and the side rails to each other: Test them with a wrench and tighten any that feel loose.
Check for missing, severely rusted, or stripped bolts; usage is prohibited if two or more bolts are missing.
All bolts must be fitted with both flat washers and spring washers; if a spring washer is flattened, it indicates the bolt had loosened, so it must be retightened.

4. Inspecting the Control Box

First, familiarize yourself with the various switches on the control box; key inspection points include:

Engage the emergency stop switch, then press the “Up” and “Down” buttons to observe the contactors; their engagement should be crisp, with no abnormal noise or arcing.
Open the box and check the incoming power cables and button wiring for signs of scorching or damaged insulation; press the “Test” button on the residual current device (RCD)—it must trip immediately.
Cable connections must be securely tightened; loose terminals can overheat and burn out the electrical box. The box door must be lockable or securely tied shut to prevent rainwater ingress.

5. Check Suspended Cradle Counterweights

Verify that the number of counterweight blocks matches the plan; never substitute them with bricks or sandbags. Ideally, each block should be marked with its weight, and all blocks must be inspected for damage.
Press down on the rear of the counterweight frame to check for any tendency to lift; ensure the connecting bolts are tight. All counterweight blocks must rest firmly on the support bars; none should be suspended in mid-air.
Secure the top of the counterweight stack with a wire rope and cable clamps to prevent unauthorized personnel from moving the blocks—this is a critical step during daily inspections!

6. Check Wire Ropes and Cable Clamps

At least 4 cable clamps are required;
The U-bolt of the clamp must be positioned over the short end (dead end) of the wire rope; ensure the orientation is correct;
When securing the final clamp, leave a slight slack or loop in the rope—this allows you to detect if the first three clamps have loosened. This is a key inspection point!

7. Check the Rope Tensioner

Common issues: insufficient number of cable clamps; missing thimbles at the connection between the wire rope and the hook.

Additional checks:
Pull the wire rope by hand to check for looseness;
Inspect the tensioner’s wedge or cam for wear or missing teeth;
Ensure the spring or bolt maintains sufficient preload so the rope does not slip out on its own when tension is released.

8. Check the Safety Rope

The safety rope is part of the suspended platform system but operates independently of the platform itself; it serves as the worker’s final line of defense!
Safety rope inspection points:

The safety rope must be anchored independently to a secure part of the building; never tie it to the platform’s support frame or counterweights.
Run your hand along the rope from top to bottom to check for cuts, burns, or severe fraying; discard immediately if damage exceeds one-third of the rope’s diameter.
The fall arrester must slide smoothly along the safety rope and lock instantly during a sudden descent—test the locking function on-site by quickly pulling the device downward.

9. Inspect the Limit Plate

The limit plate works in conjunction with the limit switch; once the limit mechanism contacts the limit plate, the suspended platform can no longer rise.
Inspection points:

The limit plate must be installed at the top of the safety rope; it must never be installed on the working rope, or it will fail to function.
Inspect the contact surface between the limit plate and the limit switch: it should be flat, free from severe deformation, and aligned with the switch contact; adjustments are required if the misalignment exceeds 2 cm.
Strictly prohibit the use of wire or rope for temporary attachment of the limit plate; any displacement could cause the limit mechanism to fail, potentially leading to the platform over-traveling (crashing into the top).

10. Inspect the Overall Support Structure

The overall support structure includes the front arm, rear arm, support legs, etc.; specifications must be verified through engineering calculations before construction begins.

Support structure inspection points:

Check if the front and rear supports are level and if the support legs are fully extended and resting on timber blocks or steel plates—suspension of the legs is not permitted.
The ratio of the front-to-rear cantilever beam length must comply with the design plan; adjustment bolts must be fully tightened, and locking pins must be secured with cotter pins.
Shake the support structure by hand; the assembly should remain stable without wobbling. Check for detached connecting pins and inspect welds for visible cracks.

These are the ten key inspection points for using electric suspended platform !
When conducting suspended platform gondola operations on-site, you must check against these “ten key inspection points” one by one every day before starting work. The platform may only be put into use after passing all inspections.
Which item do you tend to overlook most often? Let us know in the comments section.