pre-planned service and
maintenance of load
handling equipment is a
false economy which could
have serious consequences,
says John Meale, MD of
Thorworld Industries.

There are a number of
statutory obligations where it is a
legal requirement for loading bay
and load handling equipment,
including industrial doors, mobile
yard ramps, dock levellers, lifting
platforms and scissor lifts, to be
subject to Thorough Examination
inspections, in conjunction with
regular service and maintenance
programmes. These
include the Health &
Safety at Work Act;
PUWER; LOLER and the
Machinery Directive. There
are also recommendations
from FEM, the European
Materials Handling
Federation, under its
Periodic Inspection of Lifting Tables
and Dock Levellers guidelines.

Meale says spending a small sum
each year on a pre-planned service
and maintenance agreement will save
money, boost safety, keep you within
the law and extend equipment life.