Maintain the maintenance regime

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.