Forklift trucks are widely used across warehouses, factories and logistics environments to move and lift materials safely. To keep forklift trucks operating safely and reliably, businesses must ensure they are both properly maintained and inspected.
Two terms that are often confused are forklift truck servicing and forklift truck thorough examinations. While both are important, they serve different purposes and are required under different aspects of workplace safety legislation.
Understanding the difference helps businesses maintain safe equipment and remain compliant with UK health and safety regulations.
Forklift truck servicing refers to routine, scheduled maintenance carried out by technicians to keep the equipment operating efficiently and to prolong truck life.
Servicing is typically completed in accordance with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) servicing requirements, as defined in the OEM operator or service manual.
A typical forklift service may include:
› Oil changes
› Filter replacements
› Lubrication of moving components
› Mechanical adjustments
› Checks of tyres, batteries or drive systems
The purpose of servicing is to maintain the mechanical performance of the forklift truck and prolong its operational life.
However, routine servicing does not replace the requirement for statutory inspection and thorough examination.
MORE ABOUT SAFETY REGULATIONS
A forklift truck Thorough Examination and Inspection is a formal inspection carried out by a competent person to identify defects that could affect the safety of the equipment.
Forklift trucks that lift or lower loads fall within the scope of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
They are also classed as work equipment, meaning they must also comply with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
These regulations require that lifting and work equipment is:
› Safe for use
› Properly maintained
› Inspected at suitable intervals
› Examined by a competent person where required
A Forklift Truck Thorough Examination and Inspection cannot be replaced by routine servicing, and a service is not a legal substitute for the statutory inspection in accordance with LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998.
Independence and Impartiality of Forklift Truck Thorough Examination and Inspections
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that forklift truck servicing and Thorough Examinations and Inspections are carried out by separate providers.
Using independent providers helps demonstrate that the inspection is impartiality, ensuring that any defects or safety issues are identified without conflict of interest.
This independence supports compliance with LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998 and provides assurance that lifting equipment has had a Thorough Examination and Inspection.
How Forklift Truck Servicing and Forklift Truck Thorough Examinations Work Together
Although servicing and Thorough Examination & Inspections are different, they are both essential for safe forklift truck operation.
Servicing helps to maintain the mechanical performance and reliability of the equipment, while Thorough Examinations and Inspections ensure that the lifting components of the forklift truck remain safe and compliant with legislations LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998.
A forklift truck may be regularly serviced, but if it does not undergo the required Thorough Examination and Inspection it may not meet statutory safety requirements.
For this reason, many businesses ensure both maintenance servicing and independent inspections are scheduled as part of their equipment safety management.
Ensuring Safe and Compliant Forklift Operations
Understanding the difference between forklift servicing and thorough examinations helps businesses manage their equipment more effectively.
Routine servicing keeps forklift trucks running efficiently, while thorough examinations provide an independent inspection of the lifting equipment to ensure it remains safe and compliant with workplace safety regulations.
Employers should ensure both maintenance and statutory inspection requirements are met to support safe working environments.
Information provided on this page is based on the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), and associated guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive relating to the inspection and maintenance of lifting equipment. The scope and frequency of vehicle lift inspections and thorough examinations should be determined by a competent person, taking into account the type of equipment, its usage, operating environment, and the risk of deterioration or failure.
Related Compliance Topics
for Industrial Doors
LOLER Inspection Testing and
Thorough Examination Services →
MORE INFORMATION ON FORKLIFT TRUCK INSPECTIONS
Ensure your forklift trucks and Material Handling Equipment remain safe, compliant, and ready for operation. Our competent engineers provide independent forklift inspections and thorough examinations in accordance with LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998.
Call 0330 113 7920 or contact us online to arrange your forklift inspection.
How can we help?
To learn more or if you have any questions, please feel free to call or email us. You can also request a call back using our online form.
T: 0330 113 7920
E: sales@plantandsafety.co.uk
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