Thorough examination: Survey shows confusion

A survey by Consolidated Fork Truck Services among companies owning and operating fork lift trucks has found that most Thorough Examinations do not meet user expectations.Many are confused by what exactly is included and who is responsible for making sure a truck conforms to legal requirements.

Most respondents (93%) incorrectly assumed that Thorough Examination would automatically include an inspection of their truck's brakes.

According to Simon Emery, chair of CFTS, the nub of the problem is that the inspection of fork lift trucks is governed by two separate pieces of legislation: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98).

Emery comments: "An alarming number of inspectors only include those items covered by LOLER - such as mast, chains and forks - within their inspection. They totally ignore areas such as overhead guards, steering, brakes and other vital components." It was to overcome this situation that the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), with the support of the HSE, joined forces to create a single, national procedure available to truck users.

The result is a comprehensive procedure and strict code of practice, a programme of engineer and management training and the mechanism to monitor standards under the CFTS brand.

Companies accredited to the scheme (about 400) can be identified via the 'kite' certification mark.