How thorough is your Thorough Examination

Set up as a joint initiative between the Fork Lift Truck Association and British Industrial Truck Association, CFTS is responsible for the comprehensive procedure and strict code of practice for the Thorough Examination of fork lift trucks. It is followed by the scheme’s national network of more than 500 accredited Thorough Examination providers.

CFTS chair Mike Mathias explains: “Our 33-point Thorough Examination standard was specially developed for compliance, so that employers can be confident that their trucks are working safely and within the law.

“It meets the demands of LOLER, which covers lifting components, such as the forks and chains, as well as PUWER 98, which governs other critical safety items such as brakes, steering and tyres. Perhaps most importantly, this exacting standard demands that key components are physically inspected. We regularly hear of trucks that are only inspected visually. This type of guesswork – particularly with critical components such as chains – could see you fall foul of the law – or worse.

"By choosing a CFTS-accredited examiner, you can take the element of risk out of Thorough Examination."