Beware half-measure Thorough Examinations
Many businesses operating fork lift trucks may, unknowingly, be falling foul of the Law over Thorough Examinations, according to CFTS, the body behind a national standard for the Thorough Examination of fork lift trucks.
CFTS says studies show that 93% of managers overseeing lifting operations believe that their Thorough Examination, as the name suggests, checks their entire truck.
However, Geoff Martin, CFTS chair, says: “Most inspections known as ‘Thorough Examinations’, sadly, don’t live up to their name. Indeed, they tend to cover the bare minimum demanded by LOLER 98, which covers the truck’s lifting mechanism.
“For those responsible for ensuring safe operations, that creates a big problem as, under PUWER 98, you are dutybound to ensure that the entire truck is safe to use.”
The CFTS Thorough Examination Standard checks trucks against both sets of criteria.
For more information, visit: www.thoroughexamination.org.uk.
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