Service warning

In the current economic climate, many companies are not investing in new equipment, but relying on existing machinery. According to Thorworld Industries, this makes it very important that users of loading bay equipment commit to a rigorous maintenance programme to ensure equipment is safe and effective.

Thorworld identifies two elements: the inspection by a competent person, which is a legal requirement; and preventative maintenance, which takes a proactive approach to anticipating future problems and fixing them before they affect operational efficiency.

John Meale, MD, says: "We've seen recently that companies are going to local inspectors, who are untrained in the specification of certain types of loading bay equipment. As a result, they are inspecting and certifying yardramps and dock levellers, for example, under the wrong regulations, and missing crucial safety features." Meale believes it is essential that user of loading bay equipment seek out competent people who understand the PUWER and LOLER regulations and their often subtle differences.