Owners urged to have industrial vehicles inspected regularly

CFTS — the body behind the national standard of Thorough Examinations — has highlighted the need for agricultural vehicles to undergo Thorough Examinations to ensure they are safe to use. 

“According to the latest figures from the HSE, transport is the biggest killer in agriculture,” explains Geoff Martin, Chairman of CFTS. “Telehandlers and rough terrain forklifts are used a lot within the agricultural sector, and should be inspected often, but there is some confusion around Thorough Examination requirements for these vehicles. Many truck owners believe statutory inspections are part of servicing, or are unsure about what needs to be checked and when. Thorough Examinations are in fact a legal requirement for all lift trucks and must be completed at least once every 12 months.”

A CFTS Thorough Examination meets LOLER 1998 regulations, covering lifting equipment, as well as PUWER 1998 regulations, which looks at safety-related items, such as brakes, steering and tyres. It also includes a 34-point inspection for attachments.

“Truck owners working within the agriculture industry often maintain their trucks in-house, and in many cases tend to change attachments depending on their application,” adds Geoff Martin. “For a forklift to remain legally compliant and safe to use, permanent attachments must be included in the Thorough Examination and checked every 12 months, but for temporary attachments, the law demands they must be checked at least twice a year.”

CFTS has worked closely with BAGMA (the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) to develop CFTS-accredited training courses for engineers and ‘Competent Persons’ who inspect their trucks in-house, and can be organised with a local provider via BAGMA. 

“It’s vital that a truck is inspected by a qualified engineer,” says Geoff Martin. “CFTS has a network of accredited companies, with over 600 depots around the UK, so it’s easy to find a local Thorough Examination provider.”

The CFTS website provides interactive guides on Thorough Examinations for a range of vehicles, including rough terrain trucks and telehandlers. For more information, visit www.thoroughexamination.org or call 01344 623 800.