Changes to fork lift truck examinations
Background
The changes are not in legislation such as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) , but in a guidance note GN28 which interprets the legislative requirements for the benefit of equipment inspectors. GN28 is produced by Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS). Whilst it’s not the law, CFTS accredited inspectors carrying out LOLER examinations will be following it, representing a large proportion of all examiners. CFTS works in close collaboration with the HSE.
Note. A LOLER examination is a detailed check of the safety and compliance of lifting equipment carried out by an independent inspector. Often businesses use an inspector appointed by their insurance provider meaning that you might be more familiar with the term “insurance inspector”.
Note.GN28 is a paid for publication and you shouldn’t need to purchase a copy yourself as an end user although it’s worth knowing what new tests are likely to be included in future inspections.
Amended procedures
The guidance note covers, as before, a wide range of lifting equipment including: (1) counterbalance trucks; (2) warehouse trucks; (3) rough-terrain fork lifts; and (4) variable-reach trucks, otherwise referred to as telehandlers.
If you have lorry-mounted fork lift trucks (FLTs) your inspector may ask to visit twice as often as a result of the changes to GN28 . This is because the new advice is the lorry-mounted FLTs which are designed to allow the operator to be lifted with the FLT as part of the mount/dismount sequence, should have a thorough examination (see The next step ) at least every six months. This makes sense because LOLER specifies that the usual frequency of examination for equipment used to lift persons is six monthly.
What else should you be aware of?
Other changes affecting all types of FLTs and associated equipment include: (1) that attachments not permanently mounted to the truck will require examination at least every six months; (2) examiners will now fail an FLT if operator assistance systems, safety cut-offs and speed reduction devices are fitted but not working correctly; (3) a physical test will be included of the parking brake by putting the FLT stationary on a gradient with a representative load; (4) the examiner is obliged to inform the HSE if there are serious defects which prevent the LOLER examination from being completed.
Tip. Prepare for any thorough examination visit by collecting together all the lifting accessories and attachments you have.
Tip. The company carrying out the work should be able to advise on asset numbering and visual tagging to help ensure that only those items within their inspection date are put into use. If any FLT or accessory cannot be thoroughly examined within its scheduled period, it should be taken out of service.
Tip. Ensure that staff are aware of the importance of promptly reporting any exceptional event such as an impact or overload. After these you must arrange for an additional thorough examination before the equipment is brought back into service.
For a definition of thorough examination, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 19, issue 22.
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