French rough-terrain specialist Manitou has become CFTS-accredited.

French equipment maker Manitou, which announced at the SIMA agricultural trade show in Paris that it would manufacture its 500,000th machine this year, has chosen to become accredited to Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS).

Manitou Group area product support engineer Gregg Hampshire says the decision to work to the CFTS standard was a natural one. "There's no single piece of legislation out there governing telescopic handler and forklift operations, so the rules about Thorough Examination are open to interpretation.

"For truck users, this can mean that what's checked on their truck can vary depending on who they choose for their provider.

"CFTS Thorough Examinations are unique in that they've been developed by the industry - for the industry. As a result, the CFTS inspection checklist is comprehensive and very specific - leaving no room for interpretation, which can leave customers exposed to risk."

Hampshire says Manitou customers can now be assured that their trucks have undergone a "thorough Thorough Examination by a competent person".

CFTS Chairman Mike Mathias comments that Manitou has "demonstrated its commitment to raising telescopic handler and forklift safety standards".

"Most recently, the company has implemented a sophisticated training programme across their dealerships. As well as ensuring their Competent Persons and Thorough Examinations are up to the [mark], this represents a significant step forward for CFTS and industry safety in the UK."

Established over 10 years ago, CFTS has developed a comprehensive procedure and strict code of practice for Thorough Examination, giving forklift users a consistent, safe national standard, which fulfils the requirements of the LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998 safe work regulations.

Consolidated Fork Truck Services was created by the two leading organisations in the UK forklift industry, the British Industrial Truck Association and the Fork Lift Truck Association, with the support of the Health and Safety Executive.