Highlighting the wider effects of equipment failure

"Whether you’re running stackers, reach trucks, counterbalance trucks, or any other piece of lifting equipment in your warehouse, they’re all vital parts of the day-to-day operation," said Geoff Martin, CFTS chairman. "So, when something has a fault or is involved in an accident, it’s rarely a self-contained event without wider impact. There will almost always be further effects beyond the specific accident itself.

"You could be left without the equipment for a while, causing lost productivity or delays to deliveries. It could lead to the expense of replacing the equipment — either on a short-term basis or altogether. There’s the cost of dropped stock that must be cleared away and replaced. There could be damage to racking or the warehouse environment that necessitates closing off an area for repairs."

With an unchecked truck doing high-intensity work, owners run the risk of countless mechanical faults: brakes might fail, hydraulics could lose pressure, steering could be out of alignment, chains may have an overlooked weak point. These are all things that would be caught in a CFTS Thorough Examination.

The wider effects of equipment failure can all lead to an impact on the company’s bottom line. Lower output, altered travel routes, repair costs — the business will be affected in ways that could easily have been avoidable if potential mechanical failures had been caught before they happened.

A CFTS Thorough Examination is a comprehensive inspection that satisfies both LOLER and PUWER requirements as laid out by the CFTS standard. With non-CFTS Thorough Examination providers there is no guarantee they will cover all the same checks. For safe working and peace of mind owners should be sure that every vital component of the truck has been closely inspected and evaluated to be in safe condition for the work being done. 

CFTS-accredited examiners will not only have the required expertise, but also the most precise equipment to guarantee accurate measurement of wear to key parts — no guesswork or estimation involved.

With over 700 depots now accredited to the CFTS scheme across the UK, it’s now easier than ever to find your local examiner and ensure your equipment is receiving the right level of inspection.

In June CFTS will be present at industry events including the UKMHA Safety Convention (14th June at the Heart of England conference centre in Coventry to coincide with National Forklift Safety Day) and Tomorrow’s Warehouse (9th June at the CBS Arena, Coventry). Experts will be on hand to answer questions about the CFTS Thorough Examination standard, the inspection process, and becoming a member.

www.thoroughexamination.org