Pushed to breaking point

Do you know what hidden dangers lie within your work equipment? 

Although trucks such as forklifts and telehandlers are built for heavy-duty operations, frequent use takes its toll on every part.

Over time, crucial elements will break down due to wear and tear. For example, chains have been made and tested for the stresses of day-to-day operations, but they are still vulnerable, and a Thorough Examination will identify any signs of corrosive fatigue on these components or other lift truck parts.

{EMBED(1180257)}

If trucks are not inspected regularly, and faults go unnoticed, it could result in a devastating accident and life-changing injuries to staff, as well as damaged stock, delayed deliveries, and broken equipment that costs thousands to repair. If a company is found to have not fulfilled its responsibilities for providing safe equipment, it could also lead to prosecution and significant fines. 

Updates to the official sentencing guidelines in the last couple of years have meant that rather than fixed penalties, fines for rule breaches are now proportionate to a company’s turnover – with the potential for some huge figures. Fines of six or seven digits are now not uncommon in serious cases, so more than ever it pays to stay within official guidelines.

Schedules

Owners should ensure that equipment receives a Thorough Examination at least once every 12 months to confirm that it is safe to use and in good working order. Non-permanent truck attachments and accessories will need to be inspected every 6 months, as will equipment that is used to lift people. If the equipment or how it is used is altered, then Thorough Examinations schedules will be affected

Depending on the environment the truck works in, it could even require an inspection as often as every 4 months. For example, if work equipment operates in arduous conditions or industries, such as construction, metal manufacturing or aggregate processing, it is more likely that important components will be damaged by abrasive materials or corroded by certain chemicals.

{EMBED(1180255)}

The amount the truck is used also plays a significant role in determining how often an inspection is needed. Inspections are required 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.

A CFTS-accredited Competent Person can advise on the appropriate schedule for a truck based on these factors.

Agriculture

Telehandlers and rough terrain forklifts are used a lot within the agricultural sector, and should be inspected often, but there is some confusion around Thorough Examination requirements for these vehicles. Many truck owners believe statutory inspections are part of servicing, or are unsure about what needs to be checked and when. Thorough Examinations are in fact a legal requirement for all lift trucks and must be completed at least once every 12 months.

Truck owners working within the agriculture industry often maintain their trucks in-house, and in many cases tend to change attachments depending on their application. For a truck to remain legally compliant and safe to use, Thorough Examinations must be carried out by a ‘Competent Person’ and removable lifting attachments must be subject to a Thorough Examination at least every 6 months.

Owners can find a local CFTS provider at www.thoroughexamination.org/find-an-accredited-examiner

{EMBED(1180254)}

{EMBED(1180256)}