Survey shows ignorance of thorough examination

Almost half of fork lift users interviewed in a recent Fork Lift Truck Association awareness survey did not know what a 'thorough examination' is.

Almost half of fork lift users interviewed in a recent survey did not know what a Thorough Examination is.

Industry fears over continuing ignorance of Thorough Examination among fork lift users have been reinforced by the results of a Fork Lift Truck Association awareness survey.

Interviewers called a random sample of businesses known to operate materials handling equipment and asked to speak to the person in each company who was responsible for its trucks.

Little more than half (56 per cent) of those questioned said they knew what Thorough Examination was - despite the fact that it has been a legal requirement since 1998.

Fewer still (54 per cent) recognised that the procedure was a legal requirement rather than a voluntary safeguard.

Knowledge of the extent of that requirement varied considerably.

Those who were aware of the existence of Thorough Examinations gave different but plausible answers for how often it should be carried out: every 12 months, 6 months or more frequently - each of which may have been true for their particular trucks.

A few noted, correctly, that the legally required frequency depended on the truck and its use.

Only 13 per cent knew that a truck needed its first Thorough Examination by the age of 12 months.

More worrying was the widespread - and erroneous - belief that Thorough Examination was a normal part of routine maintenance.

Just 13 per cent of those interviewed knew that it was not normally covered within those processes.

In the case of long-term hire, a disappointingly low proportion (31 per cent) knew it was the operating company - rather than the company supplying the truck - that was responsible for Thorough Examination.

When it came to short-term hire, there was further cause for concern.

Amazingly, only 3 per cent of the sample volunteered the correct answer that both the operating company and the hire company had a responsibility for ensuring that the truck had a current Report of Thorough Examination.

A further 20 per cent saw it as the operating company's responsibility alone.

That left 77 per cent unaware that the operator was in any way responsible.

As the FLTA points out, it is in fact the employer of the driver/operator who has ultimate responsibility for his or her safety at work.

Finally, when asked to confirm that each of their trucks had a current Report of Thorough Examination, less than half (49 per cent) could do so.

"These results confirm our worst suspicions," says FLTA chairman Richard Baxter.

"If almost half of those responsible for operating fork lifts are not even aware of the existence of Thorough Examination, it is hard to imagine that they can be complying with its obligations.

"And judging by the obvious confusion over their responsibilities in relation to it, we are more convinced than ever that many users are seriously at risk of breaking the law".

On a positive note, Mr Baxter stresses that help is readily at hand for anyone who cares to ask for it.

"The industry has its own accredited scheme for Thorough Examination.

"It was set up recently by the FLTA and BITA - working together as Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS) - in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

"CFTS has a website - www.thoroughexamination.org - which explains what Thorough Examination is all about and what it requires of the truck user.

"Furthermore, it gives details of the CFTS scheme and lists the companies accredited to deliver it.

"By seeking Thorough Examinations through companies accredited to this scheme, all of whom adhere to a stringent procedural code, you can give yourself peace of mind and be sure of staying within the law".

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