Hello,

I wanted to get your thoughts and opinions on the below conversation I had at my site.

Before I recently started at this premises, there was no pre-use etc checks being done on the forklift truck (just a monthly check and an annual service).

This was similar to the electric pallet truck they had just recieved as well.

For the FLT - we have 2 depts that can use the equipment - 5 people in total.

So, I created a risk assessment, set up instruction documentation and ordered pre-use/pre-shift check inspection documents that can be strapped to the equipment.

It was set up that the operator would need to do a pre-use check.

For the electric PT, only 1 dept uses this, shared between 3 people and not very often used - so we agreed this could be a pre-shift, rather than pre-every-use. The communication between the 3 individuals is very good and they were recently trained on the equipment from an external body (something I set up as well because there was no formal training given), in doing so, the trainer also agreed on on the checks and they practiced on the inspection forms that I ordered.

For the FLT, however, I'm more aware that communication with the other dept isn't that great and the H&S culture remains to be improved.

The Site Manager approached me yesterday saying that the 2 individuals in the other dept were complaining that they now have to do pre-use checks on the FLT and will refuse to use it going forward if that's the case. The SM proceeded to ask if we could trial for 1 month, that 1 person checks the FLT for that day.

I highlighted my concerns with this (I'm an Advisor). I'm also concious that 1 month (if all goes well) wouldn't highlight any issues to this - in theory, an incident would have to occur for it to be proven to not be suitable.

They've decided to trial and I wanted to know what your opinions on this is - am I being too extreme to expect individuals to check the FLT before use, regardless of the previous person? - the FLT is used on average twice per day (sometimes more for deliveries), between both depts.

For more back ground - it's stored in a machine shop area where metal is worked on and is used for outside racking stored in containers.

I don't want my own personal opinions of this to cloud what realistic outcome can be put in place.

Looking forward to your opinions,

This sounds like a rather infrequent use vehicle which being pragmatic a once per day inspection should suffice. If it were motoring round all shift and day then pre-shift inspections by the shift drivers would be appropriate.

It would however need to be clearly understood that the first person to the FLT for the day must conduct the checks and not leave it for the next driver. Here you will need management / supervision involvement in verifying the check has been completed when they see someone driving.

Thing is why are you documenting the checks

To have a signature?

To record damage and issues?

Because it has been written in to procedure?

This aspect of company vehicles shows a real split where FLT & commercial drivers must complete daily and even shift checks whilst other staff (company cars) get away with a monthy declaration.

A daily pre-use check ( only on days used if infrequent use) plus weekly formal inspection. If the FLT is used by multiple user, as Kate previously stated the check by the 2nd user of the day would be to check that the ore-use has been completed.

Also remober there need to be a mechanism in place for reporting isuues, faulst etc