Materials handling experts are warning UK businesses using hired forklifts to reduce overheads during the economic downturn to keep abreast of Thorough Examination requirements for the vehicles.

Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), the body responsible for administering the UK industry's national accreditation scheme for Thorough Examination, has received a steady stream of queries from confused forklift users.

CFTS technical manager Chas Day says forklift users and fleet owners need to be fully aware of their responsibilities, regardless of how long forklifts are hired for.

"Knowing any user is unclear about this subject indicates they are being inappropriately advised, if at all," he says.

All UK forklifts require a Thorough Examination at least annually, as specified in LOLER 98. Current legislation says the certificate is the user's responsibility. A forklift user has to ensure a current, valid certificate is in place and available for inspection.

Day says businesses operating hire fleets face difficult decisions about Thorough Examination.

"Guidance on hire equipment is not easy to find in this complex legislation. Issues such as who will carry [Thorough Examination] out, and when, can be compounded if short-term and long-term hire equipment is used."

Day says forklifts provided on short-term hire, that is, up to 12 months, should be given a report of Thorough Examination by the hiring company.

"It is good practice for a copy of the report to be part of the hire documentation.

"For longer periods of hire, the responsibility rests firmly with the user, not the hire company. This, of course, usually applies to forklifts on contract hire and the user will choose who carries out the Thorough Examination," he says.

There is a short explanatory video on Thorough Examination at www.thoroughexamination.org. To check if a company is accredited to CFTS or learn about the CFTS Thorough Examination scheme, email mail@thoroughexamination.org or phone +44 01344 623800.

CFTS is jointly owned and managed by the Fork Lift Truck Association and the British Industrial Truck Association.