Take responsibility for Thorough Examination

In recent years, the pressure on employers of fork lift truck operators has grown significantly. Following the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, the HSE has put the responsibilities of managers and supervisors into even sharper focus with the publication of L117: Rider-operated lift trucks. Operator training and safe use. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance. 

This introduction of FFI (Fee For Intervention) has further compounded this – giving the HSE the right to charge companies for the cost of carrying out an inspection where a breach of law has been identified – whether knowingly or unknowingly.  

And that doesn’t come cheap… It’s been estimated that the cost of such an intervention can be as much as 10 times the ensuing fine…

To protect yourself against the risk of prosecution, it makes sense to seek advice and to work to standards that unambiguously satisfy current regulations.

Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the area of Thorough Examination. This is one of the areas of responsibility specifically covered by the revised legislation but where a combination of ignorance and lack of clarity has led to a situation whereby many companies may be breaking the law – albeit unwittingly.

Cutting through the confusion

Part of the problem is historic. For many years the emphasis was focused squarely on the checking of chains and forks… until this was encompassed within LOLER 98. Indeed, many people still use the term "a LOLER” – inaccurately – when referring to a Thorough Examination.

Indeed, meeting the requirements of LOLER is, quite literally, only doing half the job. To the surprise of many, there is no single piece of legislation that deals with the Thorough Examination and inspection of fork lift trucks. Instead, they are covered by two separate pieces of legislation.

According to the HSE: "Thorough examination of industrial lift trucks is required under health and safety law: LOLER 1998, which covers lifting equipment, and PUWER 1998, which deals with all other safety-related items, such as brakes, steering and tyres.”

Even this explanation allowed for a fair amount of interpretation with individual providers deciding exactly what should and shouldn’t be included in a Thorough Examination.  

To overcome this situation, the two leading organisations in the fork lift truck industry – the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) – joined forces to create a single inspection procedure available to truck users, wherever their industry or location.  

The resulting organisation, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), established a comprehensive procedure and strict code of practice – giving fork lift truck users a consistent, safe national standard certain to fulfil the requirements of both LOLER and PUWER, backed by dedicated training of competent persons, unparalleled technical back-up and complete traceability via paperwork bearing a hologram. 

Uniquely, the whole framework of the CFTS scheme was dedicated exclusively to the inspection of fork lift trucks (by those who understand the equipment best). Every bit as important, and like an MOT, the resulting inspection checklist is both comprehensive and very specific.  

Ten years on, the CFTS scheme has proved a remarkable success. Some 400 companies are now accredited to the scheme – each immediately identifiable by its use of the kite-mark accreditation logo.  So, whether you are responsible for one fork lift truck or one hundred, and whatever your location, you can be assured there is someone close by who will carry out a truly thorough Thorough Examination. 

But CFTS’ role doesn’t end there. To help cut through the confusion, its website (www.thoroughexamination.org) allows you to calculate how often a Thorough Examination is required.  Unlike a car, fork lift trucks are due for their first Examination after a maximum of 12 months (and maybe even sooner depending your specific equipment and application.)  

On the website, you’ll also find an interactive function to help you identify what exactly what should be covered by a Thorough Examination on your particular type of truck… and an entertaining video which highlights what can happen if you settle for half a job…

For managers and supervisors, keeping compliant has never been so tough.  Moreover, with a growing trend towards extending hire agreements beyond the traditional five-year term and holding onto owned equipment much longer, a schedule of properly conducted inspection is paramount.  

To make sure you are on the right side of the law and to find out all about Thorough Examination, call 01276 502930, fax 01276 502930 or email [email protected].