Does a forklift need a LOLER inspection?
Yes. A forklift needs a LOLER thorough examination at least every 12 months, or every 6 months if it's used to lift people. And because a forklift is also work equipment, its brakes, steering and other safety parts fall under PUWER, so a full examination covers both.
That's the short version! The rest of this post covers what each set of regulations includes, attachments, hired trucks, and why the firm that services your forklift shouldn't be the one signing it off...
What LOLER covers on a forklift
LOLER covers the parts that do the lifting:
the mast and carriage
the forks
the lifting chains
the hoist mechanism and hydraulics
fork attachments, like clamps, rotators and fork extensions
What PUWER covers
PUWER covers everything else that keeps the truck safe to drive and use:
brakes and parking brake
steering
tyres and wheels
lights, horn and beacons
seat and seat belt
overhead guard and counterweight
This is where problems slip through. A truck can pass on its lifting parts and still have worn tyres or brakes that don't hold. The industry body for forklift examinations has said that the majority of companies are still carrying out LOLER-only inspections, which check the lifting parts and miss the rest.
So when you book, ask whether the examination covers PUWER as well as LOLER. Ours does.
How often does a forklift need examining?
The truck: at least every 12 months.
If it's used to lift people: at least every 6 months.
Fork attachments: at least every 12 months, with the truck.
Lifting accessories used with it (slings, chains, hooks): at least every 6 months.
After something happens: an accident, a major repair to the lifting parts, a significant change in how it's used, or a long spell out of use.
An examination scheme drawn up by a competent person can set different intervals, based on how hard the truck works.
On top of the thorough examination, the operator should do a pre-use check every shift: brakes, steering, tyres, lights, forks and chains, and any leaks.
Can you lift people with a forklift?
Only on a work platform made for the job. HSE says platforms that aren't built into the truck (man-baskets and cages on the forks) should only be used in exceptional circumstances, like an emergency. Anything that lifts people needs a thorough examination at least every 6 months, and that includes the truck it's fitted to.
Is a service the same as a thorough examination?
No. A service is maintenance: oil, filters, adjustments and worn parts replaced, usually based on running hours. A thorough examination is the independent check that the truck is safe, and that the maintenance is working. You need both, and the service doesn't count as the examination.
Should your dealer examine the trucks it services?
Plenty of dealers sell, hire, service and examine the same forklifts - because it's convenient. But the thorough examination is the check on the servicing, and HSE's Approved Code of Practice says the examiner should be "sufficiently independent and impartial" to make objective decisions.
When the same firm does both, it's checking its own work. And if it finds a fault, it's also the firm that will quote to fix it.
PULO doesn't sell, hire, service or repair forklifts. We examine them, so a defect is reported because it's there, and you can get it fixed by whoever you like. Read more on why independent examination matters.
What about CFTS?
CFTS (Consolidated Fork Truck Services) is a scheme set up by the forklift industry's trade bodies. It sets a national standard for forklift examinations that covers both LOLER and PUWER, and many dealers are accredited to it.
CFTS isn't a legal requirement. What the law requires is an examination by a competent person, covering the lifting parts at the right intervals, and a written report that includes the 11 items LOLER sets out.
Hired or leased forklifts
The duty sits with whoever uses the truck, whether you own it, lease it or hire it.
Lifting equipment can't be used after it comes from another business unless it comes with evidence of its last thorough examination (LOLER Regulation 9(4)). So before a hired truck goes to work, check the date on its report. On a long-term lease, check the contract to see who books the examinations. If it's the leasing company, ask to see each report.
Check your forklift in 2 minutes
Find the latest report. Is the next due date still ahead of you?
Check it covers PUWER items like brakes and steering, as well as the lifting parts.
Check every defect on it has been fixed, or its deadline hasn't passed.
Overdue, or not sure? Call us on 07412 957 441, or see our forklift inspections page. We examine forklifts across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and the rest of the Midlands, and we'll contact you before the next one is due.
For other lifting equipment, read how often lifts need a LOLER inspection.
FAQs
Does a forklift need a LOLER inspection?
Yes. A forklift is lifting equipment, so it needs a LOLER thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months, or every 6 months if it's used to lift people. Its brakes, steering and other safety parts also fall under PUWER.
How often does a forklift need a thorough examination?
At least every 12 months, or every 6 months if it lifts people. Fork attachments are examined at least every 12 months, and lifting accessories like slings and chains every 6 months. An examination scheme can set different intervals.
What's the difference between LOLER and PUWER on a forklift?
LOLER covers the lifting parts: mast, forks, chains, hoist mechanism and fork attachments. PUWER covers everything else that affects safety, such as brakes, steering, tyres, lights and seat belts. A full examination covers both.
Do forklift attachments need a LOLER inspection?
Yes. Fork attachments such as clamps, rotators and fork extensions need a thorough examination at least every 12 months. Lifting accessories used with a forklift, like slings and chains, need one at least every 6 months.
Who is responsible for a hired forklift's LOLER inspection?
The user. Whether a forklift is owned, leased or hired, the business using it must make sure it has a current thorough examination. A hired truck must come with evidence of its last examination, so check the date before it's used.
Is a forklift service the same as a thorough examination?
No. A service is routine maintenance. A thorough examination is a safety check by a competent person, with a written report. You need both, and the service doesn't replace the examination.
Is CFTS a legal requirement?
No. CFTS is an industry scheme that sets a standard for forklift examinations covering LOLER and PUWER. The law requires a thorough examination by a competent person at the right intervals, with a written report.
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