Thorough Examination: whose job?

Under Health and Safety legislation, the employer of the lift truck operator has a duty of care to ensure the equipment is safe:

“It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
                                   -Health & Safety at Work Act, 1974-

If you own the truck and employ the operator

If you are the outright owner of the truck, you must arrange a regular Thorough Examination schedule appropriate to the truck and its use.
 

If you are leasing or renting the truck on a long-term basis (12 months or more)
Here the responsibilities are the same as if it was owned outright, and the duty remains with the employer of the truck operator to arrange Thorough Examinations.

Short-term hire (one day to one year)

The rental company is responsible for arranging Thorough Examination as its owner.

Check the Report
In either situation, the employer of the truck’s operator must be certain that the truck carries a valid Thorough Examination – usually by insisting on having a copy of the Report of Thorough Examination included with the rental documentation.

In addition, the truck must have a valid Report of Thorough Examination whenever it leaves an owner’s undertaking – in effect, when it changes hands, or is transferred between companies, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.

Do you have more questions about Thorough Examinations? Click here to find a CFTS-accredited examiner.