What is a Thorough Examination for a forklift truck?

A Thorough Examination is the mandatory inspection required by law to ensure the mechanical parts of a forklift truck are in safe working order. It is required under LOLER 1998 (covering lifting components such as mast, forks, and chains) and PUWER 1998 (covering vehicle safety components such as brakes, steering, and tyres). It is carried out by a competent person at legally specified intervals — at least every 12 months for most forklift trucks, or every 6 months for equipment used to lift people. It is not the same as a routine service or maintenance inspection.

What is a LOLER inspection for a forklift?

A LOLER inspection is the common name for a Thorough Examination — the mandatory inspection required under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). However, a genuine Thorough Examination must also cover PUWER 1998 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), which governs the vehicle's safety components including brakes, steering, and tyres. An inspection that only covers LOLER is incomplete and leaves the employer potentially non-compliant with PUWER. A CFTS Thorough Examination always covers both LOLER and PUWER requirements in a single visit.

CFTS is the UK forklift industry's national accreditation scheme for Thorough Examination, created in 2004 by BITA and the FLTA (now the UKMHA) in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive. It is the only scheme providing a unified national standard for forklift Thorough Examinations covering both LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998. Nearly 800 member depots and more than 2,500 registered competent persons across the UK and Republic of Ireland are accredited to CFTS. The CFTS mark on a Report of Thorough Examination guarantees the examination is full, valid under law, and carried out by a trained engineer to the industry's agreed quality standard.

How often does a forklift need a Thorough Examination?

Most forklift trucks require a Thorough Examination at least every 12 months. Equipment used to lift people, and all lifting accessories and attachments, must be examined at least every 6 months. An examination is also required following any exceptional circumstances that could jeopardise safety — such as an accident, overloading, or significant impact. A competent person may agree an examination scheme specifying different intervals based on the type of truck, its use, operating hours, and environment.

Who is responsible for arranging a forklift Thorough Examination?

The employer of the forklift operator is responsible for ensuring a valid Thorough Examination is in place, whether the truck is owned, leased, or hired on a long-term basis. For short-term hire arrangements of less than 12 months, the hire company carries the responsibility as owner. In all cases, the employer of the operator must ensure the truck has a valid Report of Thorough Examination and must be able to produce it when requested by an enforcement officer.

How do I find a CFTS-accredited examiner near me?

CFTS maintains a register of all accredited companies and registered competent persons across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Use the postcode search tool on thoroughexamination.org to find your nearest CFTS-accredited company. With nearly 800 accredited company depots across the UK and Ireland, a CFTS Thorough Examination is available nationwide.

Is a service or maintenance inspection the same as a Thorough Examination?

No. The Health and Safety Executive states clearly: 'Your regular inspections as part of a preventive maintenance scheme or scheduled service are not a thorough examination.' A Thorough Examination under LOLER and PUWER is a separate statutory requirement carried out by a competent person. A truck can be fully serviced and still be non-compliant if no Thorough Examination has been carried out. The two can be completed on the same visit, but the Thorough Examination must be conducted and documented first.

How do I become a CFTS-accredited company?

Companies that service, inspect, and maintain forklift trucks and wish to carry out Thorough Examinations can apply for CFTS accreditation at thoroughexamination.org. Applicants must provide detailed information about the staff who will carry out Thorough Examinations — including their qualifications and experience — along with details of facilities, equipment, and training programmes. All accredited companies must commit to the CFTS Quality Assurance Procedural Code and accept independent assessment and a formal complaints procedure.

Accredited companies

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Showing 21-28 of 109 items.

Carrs Billington Agriculture Sales Ltd

Unit 20C
Coopie's Lane
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2SL

tel: 01670 503930
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

Unit 1, Auction Mart
3 Blakey Lane
Thirsk
North Yorkshire
YO7 3AB

tel: 01845 440960
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

Laycock House
Skipton Auction Market
Gargrave Road
Skipton
North Yorkshire

BD23 1UD

tel: 01756 792166
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

Haweswater Road
Penrith Industrial Estate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 9EU

tel: 01768 866354
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

Tyne Mills
Hexham
Northumberland
NE46 1XL

tel: 01434 605371
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

Fountain Way
Stranraer
Dumfries
DG9 7BZ

tel: 01776 740310
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

Montgomery Way
Rosehill Industrial Estate
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA1 2UY

tel: 01228 520212
https://www.carrs-billington.com/

CARRYDUFF FORKLIFTS LTD

7 Cadger Road
Carryduff
Belfast
BT8 8AU

tel: 028 9081 2864
www.carryduff.co.uk

Castle Mechanical Handling Ltd

Damastown Way
Damastown Industrial Park
Dublin 15
Ireland
D15 EACI

tel: +35318694711
www.castlemh.ie

CBL [Clive Barford Limited]

Unit 8
Marjorie Court
Burraton Road
Saltash
Cornwall
PL12 6AY

tel: 01752 850146
www.cbl.co.uk

CBL House
Colthrop Lane
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG19 4NT

tel: 01635 254441
www.cbl.co.uk

Dumpers Drove
Horton Heath
Southampton
SO50 7DP
SO50 7DP

tel: 02380 696100
www.cbl.co.uk

Barnyard Road
Portbury
Bristol
BS20 7XH

tel: 01275 372229
www.cbl.co.uk

Crawley Road
Faygate
Horsham
West Sussex

RH12 4SE

tel: 01293 851352
www.cbl.co.uk

Dane House
Sheldon Way
Larkfield
Kent
ME20 6SE

tel: 01622 719957
www.cbl.co.uk

Village Farm Estate
Pyle
Bridgend
Mid Glamorgan
CF33 6BJ

tel: 01656 743231
www.cbl.co.uk

CGR Engineering

70 Greenlands Road
East Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO32 6HT

tel: 07723 368877
.

Chafford Forktrucks Ltd

Unit 6, Ardmore Road
Aveley
South Ockendon
Essex
Essex
RM15 5TH

tel: 01708 850502
www.chaffordforktrucks.co.uk

Champion Materials Handling Ltd

70 Seabourne Road
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH5 2HT

tel: 01202 430323
www.champion-forklifts.co.uk

Unit 8B
Glendale Industrial Estate
Southampton Road
Whiteparish
Nr. Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP5 2QW

tel: 01202 430323
www.champion-forklifts.co.uk

Chandlers Farm Equipment Ltd

The Park
Port Way
Crowmarsh
Wallingford
Oxon
OX10 8FG

tel: 01491 838388
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Love Lane Industrial Estate
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 1YG

tel: 01285 652272
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

3 Hopton Park
London Road
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 2EY

tel: 01380 730003
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Southam Road
Ufton
Southam
Warwickshire
CV33 9PF

tel: 01926 612442
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Redhill Farm
Elberton
Olveston
Bristol
BS35 4AG

tel: 01491 828946
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

High Road
Whaplode
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE12 6NT

tel: 01406 370789
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Boston Road
Spilsby
Lincolnshire
PE23 5HQ

tel: 01790 753467
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Arkwright Hill Industrial Park
Lutterworth Road
Cosby
Leicestershire
LE9 1RH

tel: 01455 201790
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Boston Road
Horncastle
Lincolnshire
LN9 6JN

tel: 01507 527211
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Main Road
Belton
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG32 2LX

tel: 01476 590077
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Green Bank, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire,
TF9 3PX

tel: 01630 411489
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Units 8-9
Alton Road Industrial Estate
Ross-On-Wye
HR9 5NB

tel: 01989 768811
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Berrow Green Road
Martley
Worcester

WR6 6PQ

tel: 01886 888987
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Usk Road
Raglan
Monmouthshire

NP15 2HJ

tel: 01291 690205
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Livestock & Auction Centre
Wenlock Road
Bridgnorth

WV16 4QR

tel: 01746 331756
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Sandy Lane
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5QB

tel: 01462 810190
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Station Road Business Park
Barnack
Stamford
Lincolnshire
PE9 3DW

tel: 01780 740000
www.chandlersfe.co.uk

Thorough Examination

A guide from CFTS