The current thorough examination inspection for forklift trucks does not place sufficient emphasis on checking the chain that controls a truck's lifting and lowering functions.

That is the view of Phil Taylor, managing director of leaf chain manufacturer FB Chain, which supplies to the materials handling industry.

There is a "black hole" in forklift testing procedures, he says, that risks compromising forklift operating safety.

"All working forklifts are required to undertake a thorough examination every year. Like an MOT for a car, it is a detailed inspection of a truck's safety related parts," explains Taylor.

"At present, there is no requirement for the person carrying out the thorough examination to see a truck's chain test certificate – unless they believe that the incorrect chain has been fitted," he continues.

"However, with one forklift chain looking very much like another, it is difficult to detect an inadequate chain from a visual inspection. Which is why, in my view, a truck's chain test certificate should be checked and verified as part of the thorough examination inspection process."

Taylor points out that, historically, chain certificates were inspected. However, that changed following the introduction of the CE marking scheme and the Machinery Directive in the 1990s.

"Before the introduction of the CE Mark – which is a truck buyer's assurance that a forklift complies with European health, safety and environmental protection legislation – a truck user would receive all relevant test certificates from the manufacturer whenever 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 to the truck, 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."