UKMHA strives maximise safety in the workplace

The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) is a long-time advocate for safer working environments, particularly where moving material handling equipment (MHE) is in operation. It is why it used its annual safety campaign, National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) to launch a new reporting portal which it is hoped will go a long way to understanding why accidents are occurring and in turn improving safety standards across the industry.

UKMHA Launches Industry-First Reporting Portal

"In order to effectively tackle workplace safety we need firstly to arm ourselves with as much information as possible. Only by doing this can we hope to understand why accidents occur and identify what we need to do to improve standards," said David Goss, technical director at UKMHA.

"No other organisation is collecting this data and is why we are urging all industries to support the initiative. We want people to tell us about MHE-related incidents, accidents and near-misses that they have experienced in their own workplace so that we can spot common causes and act on them.

"This isn’t a whistleblowing exercise, it’s the compilation of vital data that will help us to reduce risk. I would urge everyone to visit the NFSD website for details on how to complete the form so we can start saving lives."

The Human Cost of MHE Accidents

The 2025 campaign contains a hard-hitting message on the importance of upholding the highest standards of safety and best practice, and what the human consequences can be when this isn’t the case.

Reinforcing this is a powerful two-part video interview in which Lisa Ramos and her husband David Garton recount the story of Lisa’s harrowing 2006 accident when she became an above-knee amputee after an accident where a forklift truck reversed into her while she was in a designated walkway area in the warehouse where she worked with her husband.

One of the main takeaways from this is the need to segregate pedestrians from moving MHE in the workplace. The best way to achieve this is the use of physical barriers which separate people from MHE at all times. This issue was again the subject of a previous NFSD campaign.

But the UKMHA's commitment to higher standards does not end here. Its ongoing work has many different facets.

The Importance of Proactive Maintenance and Inspection

Ensuring maintenance schedules are strictly adhered to and that all MHE is regularly inspected are prerequisites for any employer. The UKMHA also champions Thorough Examination, the equivalent of a MoT test for all lifting equipment. 

A truly thorough Thorough Examination establishes that a lift truck can continue to be operated safely and without injury to persons - provided the truck is operated to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It verifies that the truck is operating as it should when lifting and travelling, and identifies any defects or weaknesses which could compromise the safe use of the truck.

Any timescales within which identified defects or weaknesses need to be rectified are also highlighted and that any defects identified in a previous Thorough Examination report have received attention.

Importantly, it also assesses whether all safety devices are functioning correctly and checks that warning notices are correctly fixed and legible. Where necessary, any limitations on the use of the truck are also specified.

Why Thorough Examination Is More Than Just a Service

It is important to highlight that regular inspections as part of a preventive maintenance scheme or scheduled service do not meet the legal requirements for a Thorough Examination. Thorough Examinations can only be carried out by people deemed competent, and these people are under a legal obligation to report defects in lifting equipment posing an imminent risk to persons to the authorities.

To ensure that Thorough Examinations cover all aspects of the equipment, UKMHA recommends that they should be completed by a CFTS (Consolidated Fork Truck Services)-accredited Competent Person (CP). CFTS accreditation demonstrates that the CP is genuinely competent and the CFTS mark is a guarantee that a lift truck will be examined carefully, and that key components such as brakes and steering will also be checked along with the lifting mechanism.

All forklift trucks must receive a Thorough Examination at least once a year. However, examinations may be required more often depending on the type of truck and its application. Guidance on the interval between inspections, as well as the detail of how the examination should be carried out, are published in UKMHA Guidance Note GN28.

Understanding the Legal Requirements

The process is governed by regulations enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These state that Thorough Examination of industrial lift trucks is required under LOLER 1998, which covers lifting equipment, and safety inspections of other safety-related items, such as brakes, steering and tyres, are required under PUWER 1998.

The Association’s member compliance audits also form a crucial aspect of its safety strategy. Members completing the audit will have demonstrated their legislative compliance and commitment to safe operations. By employing the services of a UKMHA audit-accredited member, end-users are removing a potentially weak link in their chain of traceability and accountability. 

The UK Material Handling Association

Tel: 01635 277577

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.ukmha.org.uk