Is your site damaging your equipment?

Work equipment used for heavy-duty operations may require more frequent Thorough Examinations than owners think, warns CFTS.

As the body behind the national standard for lift truck Thorough Examinations, CFTS believes certain industries are at higher risk of fault-related accidents if they do not arrange inspections often enough.

“Operations like construction, metal manufacturing or aggregate processing use abrasive materials, which over time can damage equipment,” says CFTS chairman Geoff Martin.

“Similarly, if a truck is used on a site where chemicals are present, corrosion is a serious hazard to look out for. 

“For example, chains are vulnerable, even though they have been made and tested for the stresses of day-to-day operations. A CFTS Thorough Examination will identify any signs of corrosive fatigue on your chains or other lift truck components.”

Every lift truck must have a Thorough Examination at least once a year in line with LOLER and PUWER regulations, however equipment could require a more frequent inspection schedule depending on the nature of the site, truck and tasks.

According to CFTS, the type of truck and the use of attachments will affect when you book a Thorough Examination. If it has fitted attachments, an inspection must be arranged every 12 months. This changes to 6 months if attachments are not permanently fitted to the truck, or if the truck has an elevated operator position or working platform for lifting personnel.

“The amount the truck is used also plays a significant role in determining how often an inspection is needed,” adds Geoff. “Get it checked every 4 months if it is used over 80 hours a week, every 6 months if it used 40 to 80 hours a week, or every 12 months if it is used under 40 hours a week.

“If you are planning on making any changes to your work equipment or how it is used, then your Thorough Examination intervals might be affected. A CFTS-accredited Thorough Examination engineer can help you determine this.”

www.thoroughexamination.org