Forklift truck inspections, order pickers and other warehouse equipment

Forklift Truck Inspections and other equipment

Keeping your staff safe and your equipment in good condition is essential to keeping your business moving. Plant Inspection Services understand the need for efficient yet thorough examinations, keeping your equipment working as efficiently as possible.

The regulations around forklift safety can often seem confusing. Who is responsible for warehouse lifting equipment inspections? What needs to be done, and when? Unfortunately, forklifts, order pickers and other warehouse lifting equipment can pose a high risk of serious injury for workers, operators and pedestrians. Such is the importance of regular, accredited inspections, the National Forklift Safety Day UK was established in 2020 as part of a commitment to raise standards and improve the safe operation of material handling equipment.

As an independent inspection company we help you meet your obligations under the appropriate legislation and avoid a forklift accident.

Need advice? Get in touch

What is a Thorough Examination?

A Thorough Examination under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) is a detailed and comprehensive inspection of your lifting equipment by a designated, ‘competent’ person who can provide an impartial assessment. The purpose of this examination is to identify and remedy any issues that could prevent successful and safe lifting operations and to assess any wear and tear.

How often should a forklift be inspected?

One of the questions we get asked most frequently here at Plant Inspection Services is ‘how often should you inspect a forklift?’

Every forklift truck must have regular ‘thorough examinations’ at least once a year. However, this may be more frequent, depending on the type of truck you have, how often it is used and what it is used for.

Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that the interval for forklift inspection should be every 12 months, except where the forklift is used to lift people (such as with a man basket). In this case, the inspection should be carried out every 6 months.

In addition to a Thorough Examination, a forklift should also be subject to daily inspections by the owner / operator. The frequency of Thorough Examination on a forklift truck may be changed by the competent person, for example if it is operating in a particularly harsh environment.

Daily Checks and Pre Use Inspections

The forklift truck operator should carry out a visual pre use check to confirm it is in good working condition before using the equipment or before each shift. A daily inspection helps to ensure a safe working environment and safety of nearby workers and operators. This everyday maintenance helps keep a safe general condition and identify any issues before they arise.

What happens if defects are found during the Thorough Examination?

If a serious defect is found, the competent person conducting the thorough examination must immediately inform duty holders (usually the owner of the equipment) and detail whether the use of the equipment should cease immediately or not. A written report will be compiled which will detail remedial work or recommendations, and provide a timescale in which these must be completed.

In the event of a serious defect, it may be necessary for the forklift truck to be taken out of use because it presents an immediate danger to operators or other workers.

Why Choose Us?

Expertise

We have over 40 years experience in the industry. Our engineers are chosen for their combination of technical qualifications and practical experience, which enables them to react quickly and appropriately to real-life situations.

Flexible

We take a flexible approach to arranging your inspections. Wherever possible we try to keep the engineer the same on each visit, we find this gives them chance to get to know you and your site and make the visit as smooth as possible.

Independent

We are uniquely placed to provide a fresh pair of eyes and act impartially because we do not provide any servicing or maintenance. We don’t make money from the recommendations we make, and they are only made with your safety in mind.

Plant Inspection Services can carry out Thorough Examinations on a wide range of your equipment to keep it available when you need it. This includes:

• Forklift Trucks
• Order Pickers
• Dock Levellers
• High Lift Pallet Trucks

We work with a wide range of companies operating across the UK, including Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Wakefield and Huddersfield. Wherever you are, we can offer you no-obligation help and advice.