Keep equipment operators safe

Equipment owners must be particularly aware of damage to fork arms, as these are a critical component of a lift truck. They are designed, manufactured and rigorously tested to ensure that they can handle the dynamic, bending and torsional stresses a lift truck faces in day-to-day operation. Abuse and incorrect use can leave forks worn. As the fork’s heel erodes, the truck’s carrying capacity is dramatically reduced.

“A badly maintained truck could mean a heavy price to pay later,” said CFTS Chairman Geoff Martin. “It will perform less efficiently and will require bigger and more expensive repairs. No business needs that. Especially considering the year we have just had, with so many businesses being reliant on work equipment to serve crucial supply chains.”

CFTS Thorough Examinations will not only find faults, but also ensure the truck meets the rigorous demands of LOLER (which covers lifting components, such as the forks and chains), as well as PUWER (which governs other critical safety items such as brakes, steering and tyres). 

They are conducted by a qualified Competent Person equipped with practical knowledge of work equipment, capable of detecting defects and assessing whether trucks can continue to be used safely. They can also advise on how often equipment should be serviced and inspected to keep it in top condition. 

For more information, visit www.thoroughexamination.org