You wouldn’t wear half a suit but every year thousands of companies get stitched up anyway by accepting half a Thorough Examination of their fork lift trucks, according to research from Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS) – the body behind the industry’s Thorough Examination standard.
To combat this, CFTS has developed an entertaining video that warns fork lift truck owners of the dangers of so-called thorough examinations that only cover half the truck.
According to CFTS, many examinations still only test a fork lift truck's lifting components, neglecting safety-critical parts like steering and brakes.
It is hoped the eye-catching video will capture companies' attention, after CFTS research showed that the majority of managers are completely unaware of this widespread threat.
CFTS believes the problem, which affects tens of thousands of sites, to be particularly prevalent where Thorough Examination is arranged as part of an annual insurance inspection.
Technically, inspecting lifting parts only fulfils minimum obligations under LOLER 98 lifting regulations. However, companies remain open to prosecution under PUWER 98 rules if the vehicle as a whole is found to be unsafe.
CFTS is the national Thorough Examination standard that covers the entire fork lift truck.
“Just because you've had a so-called Thorough Examination, doesn't mean your fork lift truck is safe,” says CFTS chairman Richard Hayes. “Managers need to be on top of what's being checked and – crucially – what isn't. Because it's you who's liable.
“Ask yourself: is it fair to ask your colleagues to operate a two-, three-, four-tonne truck where the tyres or the brakes haven't been tested? No, of course not.
“That is why it is essential to insist on a CFTS-accredited Thorough Examination. It's the national standard guaranteed to test the whole truck.
“It’s the positive way to be sure you are covered for both LOLER and PUWER, and, ultimately, that the truck really is safe to use.”
