FB Chain Ltd's Phil Taylor claims current Thorough Examination does not place enough emphasis on checking the forklift chain.

Current Thorough Examination inspection for forklifts does not place enough emphasis on checking the chain that controls a forklift's lifting and lowering functions, and so there is a "black hole" in forklift testing procedures, an industry member claims.

FB Chain Ltd managing director Phil Taylor explains that all working forklifts are required to undertake a Thorough Examination, which is a detailed inspection of a forklift's safety-related parts, annually.

He says there is currently no requirement for the person carrying out the inspection to see a forklift's Chain Test Certificate unless they believe the incorrect chain has been fitted.
"However, with one forklift chain looking very much like another, it is difficult to detect an inadequate chain from a visual inspection alone. In my view, a truck's Chain Test Certificate should be checked and verified as part of the Thorough Examination inspection process."

Taylor adds that chain certificates used to be a part of a forklift's annual check, but this changed with the introduction of the CE Marking scheme and the Machinery Directive in the 90s.

He says that before the introduction of the CE Mark, a forklift user would receive all relevant test certificates from the manufacturer when a new forklift was acquired. "This enabled anyone undertaking a forklift examination throughout the truck's working life to easily check that if a replacement chain had been fitted, it matched the specification of the original.

"However, since the arrival of the CE Mark, the truck manufacturer has simply issued a one-off compliance document to the user that covers everything - including the chain. This means that truck users no longer receive a Chain Test Certificate when they buy a new truck," Taylor adds.

Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS) is the UK's leading provider of forklift Thorough Examinations. Chas Day, CFTS's technical manager, is not so concerned.

"It was the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) that removed this requirement," Day explains.

"They would have brought it back if there was a problem. Competent persons working for CFTS-accredited companies carry out a number of physical tests on the chains, as well as visual inspections, and they always have the option of asking to see a certificate if they are in any doubt," he says.

Day adds ensuring a forklift is fitted with the correct chain is the manufacturer or dealer's responsibility. "The competent person carrying out the Thorough Examination is responsible for ensuring that the chain fitted is safe for use."

Taylor says to ensure a replacement chain is suitable for the forklift, users should buy from a reputable and well-established leaf chain manufacturer of go direct to the manufacturer who supplied the vehicle.

"We believe that there has been a big rise in sub-standard leaf chain entering the market in recent years and it is particularly important that truck users select their chain supplier carefully. If a lift truck chain is not adequate and breaks while in use, the Health & Safety Executive will be down on the truck user like a ton of bricks," he warns.

FB Chain is the UK subsidiary of Addtech AB, a Swedish company listed on the Stockholm stock exchange. It claims to be the leading supplier for leaf chain in the UK and Ireland.

For information on CFTS Thorough Examinations, go to www.thoroughexamination.org.