Forklift truck inspections – How often?

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (Regulations) 1998 (LOLER) classify forklift trucks as lifting equipment and place a responsibility on the employer to maintain them in safe condition and ensure they are suitable for their intended use. Additionally they require a thorough examination.

Many people assume that thorough inspections are an annual requirement but that is not always the case. The frequency between inspections depends on the type of truck, how often it is used and what it is used for.

Below is a guide for inspection frequency:

• Trucks used up to 40 hours per week - Annually
• Trucks used from 41 to 80 hours per week – Every 6 months
• Trucks used over 80 hour per week – Every 4 months
• Trucks used to lift personnel such as in a basket on forks – Every 6 months
• Trucks fitted with an attachment other than a sideshift – Every 6 months
• Trucks working in arduous conditions – Every 4 months irrespective of use

Modern forklifts normally have onboard computers that record usage so anyone who inspects the truck will know how much it has been used.

So remember if your forklift truck inspector tells you that annual inspections are not adequate he may not be trying to just get more work!

For more information on risk management and business insurance, visit www.alanboswell.com