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How often are Forklifts inspected - every 6 months or every 14?
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Posted By oneill
Hi
I'm just about to put in place a preventative maintenace schedule for our forklifts, however it has come to my attention that the CR 4A form that is filled out for the inspection of forklifts now states that it is completed every 14 months, it was my understanding that it was done every 6 months?? I'm based in Ireland by the way.
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Posted By Paul Hay
My understanding (its been a while since I was involved with FLTs) is that they should be inspected every 12 months or 6 months if used for lifting people in some sort of safety cage (LOLER). Don't know if its different in Ireland, I stand to be corrected.
Regards, Paul
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Posted By ian milne
Some points to consider, but I'm sure I will be corrected if wrong; Forklifts are usually inspected every 12 months (PUWER). The lifting mast, chains etc usually every 6 months (LOLER) plus attachments.
Upon inspection, the engineer and your insurance would take into account the condition, duty and how frequently used which they then propose the schedule.
The 14 month period, I cant remember where I seen that as dont have access to my 'stuff' just now, from memory perhaps under COSHH for LEV maybe, you best check that one!
Seek thy insurers advice, as its thee that defends thee should thou be wrong, we hope!
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Posted By Bunny
No offence but it comes to something when H&S professionals don't know what the basic requirements are for FLT's.
The previous post was correct that 14 months comes from the requirements for LEV testing.
Generally (unless written scheme of examination states otherwise)FLT's should be examined by a competent person every 12 months. But if used for lifting persons then it should be every 6 months. The are some exceptions related to hours used per week and side loading but that's pretty much that.
Your competent person should know otherwise they're not competent to carry out the examination in my opinion!
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Posted By Fornhelper
Bunny,
'No offence' but your statement "it comes to something when H&S professionals don't know what the basic requirements are for FLT's" intimates that one of the previous posters didn't know the the basic requirements. From reading their posts it seems to me they do. So who are the H & S professionals you are referring to?
FH
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Posted By Bunny
No they didn't two of the posts thought it was every 6 months.
FLT's are one of the most basic bits of kit on sites. I would expect all H&S professionals to know the requirements for something so basic.
That's my opinion. I say it as I see it, always have and always will.
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Posted By TBC
I would also include the checking of forks for visible cracks etc in your drivers daily checks.
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Posted By Paul Duell
Not as simple as Bunney thinks - firstly if the FLTs are used for man carrying cages, then the LOLER 6-month requirement DOES come into force. So depending what the FLTs are used for, that could be right.
And something that no-one seems to have picked up on, is that it seems that it'll be Eire law that applies here, not UK law. Probably not significantly different - all driven by the same EC directives after all - but I suspect very few people on here will be that expert.
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Posted By Bunny
Paul,
Re-read my response. I said 12 months unless used for lifting people which then means that it's every 6 months. Not forgetting of course that you would then be required to also have the lifting cage examined.
Yes, you're right the original post may come under different regulations for Eire.
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Posted By JAI
Message for bunny
Relax not everyone is perfect
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Posted By halesowen Baggie
Message to JAI
My wife is!
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Posted By halesowen Baggie
No need to exam if the equipment is not exposed to conditions causing deterioration which are liable to result in dangerous situations!
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Posted By gham
Message to bunny
read the first two post again. Personally i can't get that they don't know the basics from their statements.
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Posted By Bunny
gham,
I didn't say the first two posts, I said two of the posts (1st & 3rd to be precise).
halesowen,
Me thinks you're wrong. Think again.
everyone,
I don't hinks it's me that needs to take a chill pill, it's you lot!
I am definately not perfect...wouldn't want to be.
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Posted By GT
Ian Milne,
I think the 14 months refers
to lift equipment, tackle ,chains hooks etc.
If I am wrong ...........sorry.....
just dont wish to be antagonistic
on this thread.
GT
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Posted By RA
My Fellow Professionals,
I like others on this forum don't like to see someone leaning towards ridicule of others knowledge- lest we remember we all have had to start somewhere in H&S.
O'Neill keep posting & diregard any comments which may attempt to discredit you- this forum is a chat forum- where most of us try to assist.
Follow this link:http://www.hsa.ie/publisher/index.jsp?aID=1571&nID=97&pID=93#17
There are other links on the HSA website that may assist you.
RA
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Hi All, What's the fuss about? Part of being a safety professional is not knowing every details of all legal requirements but having the ability to access through a general knowledge of where such information is held and interperate the requirements. It is my experience that some professionals have a specific expertise in a specific area and a rather less detailed understanding of others. There is something quite unprofessional in one safety professional attacking another who may not have or need expertise in all areas. To me that's an impossible state of affairs. I agree there is a right to challenge someones views and opinions on a subject but to state that someone is not competent is quite insulting and the person who said it should appolgise without reserve.
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Posted By steve_r
This is taken from the UK Regulations:
(3) Subject to paragraph (6), every employer shall ensure that lifting equipment which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations is -
(a) thoroughly examined -
(i) in the case of lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months;
(ii) in the case of other lifting equipment, at least every 12 months; or
(iii) in either case, in accordance with an examination scheme; and
(iv) each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the lifting equipment have occurred; and
(b) if appropriate for the purpose, is inspected by a competent person at suitable intervals between thorough examinations,
to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time.
So I think halesowen Baggie is correct in his strict interpretation, but when would a forklift not be exposed to conditions causing deterioration? Simply by lifting things the forklift will deteriorate over time.
Also the examination scheme could specify a period of less than 12 months, depending on things like the conditions the forklift is operated in - might deteriorate sooner.
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Posted By halesowen Baggie
Bunny
Reg 9 (3) LOLER Regs.
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Posted By halesowen Baggie
Thankyou Steve,
I wonder if a defence has ever been offered with regard to the interpretation of the regs.
EG.no deterioration or dangerous situation.
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Posted By Bunny
halesowen,
Read above post to see why you're wrong...there's virtually no circumstances where deterioration wouldn't occur.
I completely agree that poeple should post for advice and that we don't know everything about everything, nor should we. But I would assume that to get even basic health and safety qualifications someone would need to know about something as basic as a flt, what's more worrying us when poeple post a reply which is technically wrong.
I do get rather fed up with the amount of forum users who post saying things like...how do i do a RA, can somone give me their RA for such and such. There seem to be too may people that don't even know the basics who are involved in advising others on H&S.
oneill,
I apologise, I do not know Irish law, and I was more concerned that some offering advice weren't legally right. Continue to post to get information, I do too. However, I will always express my concern where I think that it is required and I do think some people posing as professionals aren't really that professional at all. My opinion and I'm entitiled to it. Good luck in getting the answer you want.
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Posted By Sima Patel
Moderator Message
Whilst keeping in mind that not all forum users have the same level of health and safety knowledge, please remain polite when responding to queries.
Forum users are reminded that this forum is for professional discussion. Messages of an antagonistic or offensive nature will be removed.
Thank you
Sima Patel
Web Assistant
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Posted By Mat
I think we all need to excuse Bunny for her comments, she's obviously just starting out.
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt
Oneil
Dia duit.
So you've put a preventative maintenance schedule in place, brilliant.
Insurance inspectors will probably do the annual or six monthly exam.
When I worked with FLT's the contract maintenance occured on each fork lift on a 6 week cycle. These guys just did FLT's. I would advise that you go along and get a bit of free training some morning when the maintenance occurs.
If you explain your ignorance up front(as I did) you will usually find most engineers happy to explain any questions. They may also show you signs of equipment abuse that you haven't had reported to you through the normal channels. Good to expand your field knowledge so supervisors and users can't pull the wool over your eyes.
Kind regards
Jeff
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Posted By Andy Walker
Time to stick my head above the parapet.
My interpretation has always been
12 months for trucks unless lifting people then it is 6 months for truck and person lifting device dependant on working environment. If used in an agressive environment this could then reduce the frequency of inspection even more (3 monthly, or even monthly or less).
I'm unsure of the legislation in Eire but the 14 month rule for LEV, I am reliably informed was a misprint and should have read 12 months. The 14 month rule came from the old factories acts which made allowance for the movement of Spring Bank holidays and Easter holidays each year still allowing factory owners to remain in compliance when maintenance/inspection staff were not available to carry out statutory inspections.
As for the RA comment I'm quite willing to show mine or look at anybodys. Nobody is perfect and sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees.
Sad to say but yet again a perfectly valid discussion has turned into a slanging match.
Andy
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Posted By Paul Hay
I posted the first response and from what I've read I seem to have been correct (if a little brief) in my response. Can't make out if Bunney is suggesting I should know better or the person before and the person after should - either way as Chris Tarrant says ' Its only easy if you know the answer'. If people are going to get pelters every time they get a question wrong or don't know the answer I think you will see a reduction in the number of users of this forum, which would be a shame.
Paul
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Posted By JAI
Paul
Agree with your comments
Check out the current advice thread, some interesting comments
Also do a quick search on particular names; you will see a pattern emerging.
You guessed it' the same people always tend to have negative comments & turn a valid thread on its head
Jai
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Posted By halesowen Baggie
Bunny
I know what you are saying, but im only quoting the law, its your interpretation that indicates there would be no circumstances that deteriation & danger could occur.
What would be a courts interpretation, good lawyer & loads of dosh.
Has case law tested this out?
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Posted By gham
i think the questions been answered now (well for UK legislation at least) lets leave it.
I think we could all benifit from being more .... tacktful when questioning a response with out discrediting anyone
Im off to hug a tree it's nice a sunny for a change!
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Posted By JayJay
Bunny
just going from the 1st thread the person just said forklift ! If its electric FLT it hasnt got an exhaust and wouldnt need LEV testing. Or maybe i'm wrong
JJ
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Posted By ian milne
Alas, I just went through some of my older responses to see the status and checked this thread and as usual some of these forums do turn into a shambles or for some to let of steam.
As you who have seen my response sover the years I am not afraid to show my real name and keep passing on positive comments to cheer and motivate. My answers are there for all to see so others can correct me therefore I learn new things (poor little mejust working from previous knowledge / experience....but always willing to learn more). Like the saying goes 'the competent person should realise when it is safe or not safe to carry out the work'. You dont know unless you learn / ask.
I think the recent moderator is spot on with their comments but perhaps this thread could of been caught a bit earlier, but hey their a busy crowd so no excuses needed.
For all newcomers and those who wish to keep learning, keep asking the questions and you will learn. Most of these forum comments are provided to assist you in researching until you are happy with your content. There will always be the odd one that is incorrect but they will learn soon enough and gain new knowledge. Signing out.........
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Has everyone forgotten that a FLT should be inspected before 1st use of the day / shift by the FLT operator, to ensure that such basics as brakes, lights, steering, beepers / sounders, operational controls (up, down, side shift if fitted etc)and this inspection recorded. This is in addition to the 12 / 6 month inspection dependant upon use.
By the way this is related to the UK not Eire, however I would be suprised if there was any significant difference between the two.
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How often are Forklifts inspected - every 6 months or every 14?
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