news health & safety l
confusion arises because, unlike the MOT on a car, the requirements of a Thorough Examination are open to interpretation. In effect, the body providing the inspection is able to decide what should and shouldn’t be included.
“The nub of the problem is that the inspection of fork lift trucks is governed by two separate pieces of legislation: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98). However, an alarming number of inspectors only include those items covered by LOLER – such as mast, chains and forks – within their inspection. In doing so they totally ignore crucial areas such as overhead guards, steering, brakes and other vital components… As a result, managers and directors responsible for fork lift trucks may fall foul of PUWER 98 legislation on ensuring the suitability of workplace equipment.” It was to overcome this clearly untenable situation that the two leading organisations in the fork lift truck industry – the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork
Lift Truck Association (FLTA), with the support of the HSE – joined forces to create a single, national procedure available to truck users, wherever their industry or location. The result is a comprehensive procedure and strict code of practice, a programme of engineer and management training and the mechanism to monitor standards under the CFTS brand name. Companies accredited to the scheme – and there are around 400 of them covering the length and breadth of the UK – can be identified via the distinctive ‘kite’ certification mark. “Customers need to be aware that all Thorough Examinations are not the same,” says Simon Emery. “Some are more thorough than others. My advice to those responsible for the upkeep of fork lift trucks should seek clarification on exactly what is being inspected – or they will get less than they bargained for…” They can do that by taking
advantage of an interactive online tool that clearly identifies which parts of a fork lift truck are covered by LOLER, and which by PUWER (along with details of CFTS accredited companies) at:
www.thoroughexamination.org
●factfile...
Mike is UKWA honorary advisor SESS now provides the honorary adviser to UKWA (United Kingdom Warehousing Association). Michael Collier, the SESS Safety, Health and Environmental Management Consultant, is now the UKWA Health and Safety Adviser and, as such, any one of the 650 member companies can now contact Michael for free advice.
UKWA members have a group of Honorary Advisers covering a broad range of specialist skills who can be contacted by telephone or email entirely free of charge.
www.sess.co.uk
onlya forklift this reliable comes with a warranty thisgood.
If there was an award for reliability, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks would be the odds-on favourite. This year. Every year.
Sadly there isn’t. Instead we must be satisfied by becoming the world’s first manufacturer to make a clean sweep of the Annual Awards for Excellence –winning in every product category (sometimes more than once). It’s one reason why we can offer you the industry’s most impressive warranty.
As robust and dependable as the award-winning GRENDIA shown here, our five year warranty guarantees you low operating costs as well as long-term protection against unexpected repair bills.
Equally important, when you do need help, you’ll find our local support is second to none: friendly, professional and right on your doorstep.
or visit us
atwww.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk 0845 371 I N G
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK Unit 9, Westgate Industrial Estate,
Tintagel Way, Aldridge, West Midlands WS9 8ER 3048 S Call today for information on how to protect your investment
A unique achievement! In winning this year’s Annual Award for Safety Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has become the first (and only) manufacturer to win an Annual Award for Excellence in every single product category.
0
A
1
W
1
9
A
R
1
R
W
0
S
D
A
E
O
F
O
Y
O
R
F
F
I
N
R R
A
R O
N O
V
N
E
O
N
A
T
T
R
M
M
I
R
2
N
N
F
F
R
1
D
0
9
A
A
7
W
A
E E
O
O
V
T
D
2
2
R
0
W
2
A
I
O
D
C
0
A
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68