Telehandler Inspections - Workplace Inspection Checklists

The unsafe use of Telehandlers has led to a significant number of serious accidents, tragically including some fatalities.

Telehandlers (also known as Rough Terrain Telescopic Handlers or Variable Reach Trucks) make a valuable contribution to the construction process by enabling materials to be unloaded from delivery vehicles, transported around construction sites and placed at height (reach).

They are versatile machines which can be fitted with a wide range of attachments such as buckets, skips, work platforms and crane jibs. Unfortunately there have been a significant number of accidents involving the use of telehandlers, which have tragically included a number of fatalities. An effective and safe telehandler is one which is well matched to the type and size of load to be carried and lifted, together with the environment in which it is to be used. Attachments for use with telehandlers should be chosen with care to ensure that the combination of telehandler and attachment is both safe and productive. It is essential that all attachments are compatible with the telehandler with which they are to be used.

Telehandler

It is important that the use of telehandlers is subject to regular review and constant monitoring to ensure that tasks are being carried out as planned, that supervisors and operators have the necessary competences and that planning is effective. The effective maintenance of a telehandler is an essential part of safe operation. As with all machines, a telehandler will wear, deteriorate and can suffer damage over time. The maintenance process, including checks and inspections, monitors, prevents and rectifies this deterioration. It is important that the personnel asked to carry out these tasks have the necessary machine-specific training, experience and competence in both periodic and breakdown maintenance.

Telehandlers require the manufacturer’s preventative maintenance instructions to be strictly complied with, if safety is to be maintained in use. Checks and inspections should be carried out taking account of the frequency of use of the telehandler and the environmental conditions in which it works. Both the user and owner of the telehandler, and any attachments used with it, have a responsibility to ensure that they are maintained in a safe working condition. In practice the maintenance, other than pre-use checks, is normally undertaken by the telehandler owner on behalf of the user.

In addition to pre-op walk around checks the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require that all lifting equipment is thoroughly examined by a competent person at specified intervals:
1. When the telehandler is put into service for the first time (LOLER Reg. 9(1))
2. A period not exceeding 12 months if the telehandler is only used for lifting goods (LOLER Reg. 9(3)(a)(ii));
3. A period not exceeding 6 months if the telehandler is used for lifting persons (LOLER Reg. 9(3)(a)(i));
4. After any major alteration or damage (event) (LOLER Reg. 9(3)(a)(iv))

Assuming the risk of deterioration is present with any equipment, the importance of pre-use checks to identify any day-to-day damage, faults or failure cannot be underestimated. The Good to Go Safety Straddle Carrier inspection checklist system is flexible, allowing pre-shift start, daily, weekly, monthly or annual checks to be implemented – every site is likely to have differing requirements and the Good to Go system can be adopted to suit those needs. Written records of completed straddle truck inspections are retained as part of an audit trail, and any equipment that fails an inspection can be withdrawn from service for repair or maintenance with a “Do Not Use” message displayed in the tag for all to see until such time that repairs are completed. Placing the status tag at the entry point to the vehicle helps maximise visibility to all potential users and once the completed checklist is placed inside the tag it will clearly state the status and date of the last inspection, helping remove the risk of assuming that someone has already carried out the checks by clearly displaying if it has been completed.

LOLER also requires that lifting accessories and lifting attachments are thoroughly examined at intervals not exceeding six months (LOLER Reg. 9(3)(a)(i)).

Operators of the telehandler should undertake daily and weekly checks as safe system of work / manufacturers’ recommendations and records. They should advise their supervisor of any faults found on the equipment. The supervisor should check regularly (maximum of weekly intervals) that the operator is carrying out their daily and weekly checks. Once operations commence, the contractor / principal contractor should undertake random sample checks off equipment documentation / inspection/ maintenance records.

Telehandlers require the manufacturer’s preventative maintenance instructions to be strictly complied with, if safety is to be maintained in use. Checks and inspections should be carried out taking account of the frequency of use of the telehandler and the environmental conditions in which it regularly works. If the operator is considered to be competent to carry out routine pre-use and weekly checks, they may be authorised to do so. The employer of the person carrying out these checks should ensure that the machine is taken out of use for the period of time required to carry them out. Also, the employer or authorized person carrying out the checks should ensure that a safe system of work is in place to prevent personnel from being exposed to risk, for example from the inadvertent operation of the equipment.

Basic checks and inspections should be carried out in accordance with company instructions and the manufacturer's recommendations: • Daily Pre-use Checks - these are carried out at the start of every shift (or day) and include checks for damage and correct functioning of the telehandler • Weekly Inspections - these are additional inspections to the pre-use checks.

These checks and inspections should be recorded If there is a defect that affects the safe operation of the telehandler it must be reported and the machine taken out of service immediately. If it does not affect the immediate safe operation of the telehandler the defect should be reported to the supervisor so that repairs may be carried out in a timely manner. There must be provision for the operator(s) of telehandlers to make written reports of defects or observations immediately they are identified.

The Good to Go Safety telehandler checklist will help you to comply with much of the above, enabling pre-use checks of critical components to be completed. Upon completion of the telehandler inspection checklist, the top copy can removed, folded and places inside a Good to Go Safety status tag to display the date and findings of the latest checks, whilst a duplicate copy is retained and recorded inside the book, which can be made available to the supervisor or contractor upon request. By displaying the findings on a tag attached to the access point of the truck it will maximise the visibility to all potential users and provide peace of mind that the days’ relevant checks have been completed before they start operations. If faults are found during the pre-op walkround then the status can be updated to show a “DO NOT USE” message, effectively quarantining the truck until repairs have been completed.


Telehandler Inspection Books - 25 Checklists

Telehandler Inspection Books - 25 Checklists

The continuing development of telehandlers (telescopic materials handlers) in terms of capacity and reach makes them a versatile piece of site equipme..

£6.20

Telehandler Inspections - Weekly Checklist Kit

Telehandler Inspections - Weekly Checklist Kit

The continuing development of telehandlers (telescopic materials handlers) in terms of capacity and reach makes them a versatile piece of site equipme..

£37.10

Telehandler Inspections - Daily Checklist Kit

Telehandler Inspections - Daily Checklist Kit

The continuing development of telehandlers (telescopic materials handlers) in terms of capacity and reach makes them a versatile piece of site equipme..

£109.50

Inspection Information Station

Inspection Information Station

The information station will provide your workplace with the ideal central location to store inspection check books. Organising your inspections an..

£233.20

Inspection Wallet and Pen

Inspection Wallet and Pen

A handy wallet that not only provides additional protection from the elements but also gives inspectors a solid writing surface to complete inspection..

£6.20

Weather Resistant Inspection Holder

Weather Resistant Inspection Holder

These industrial strength pockets have a press seal fastening to keep important documents clean and dry. An ideal solution for storing check books, in..

£6.31

Inspection Book Dispenser

Inspection Book Dispenser

Allow the storage of checklists in a central location for quick and easy access to important inspection checklists. Provide workers with the ideal ..

£13.25

Showing 1 to 7 of 7 (1 Pages)

News

We support National Scaffolding Week 2024

We support National Scaffolding Week 2024

National Scaffolding Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the industry and provide advice, information and valuable insights which can influence the direction of training in the industry. The campaign, which runs from 7th – 11th October 2024 will showcase the diverse range of career options available within the industry; highlight achievements of both organisations and individuals operating within the sector and aim to inspire the next generation to take up a role within the scaffolding ...CONTINUE...

Recycling company fined after worker loses leg

Recycling company fined after worker loses leg

An investigation was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following a gruesome incident which was so severe that an employee had to have his leg amputated above the knee. The incident occurred on the 5th of October 2022, whilst employees were sorting out refuse at the Pink Skips (NW) Ltd site at Levenshulme. CCTV footage provided the HSE investigators with key knowledge about the incident. When reviewed, it showed employees working around and in close proximity to a 360° ro...CONTINUE...

Work-related fatalities in the UK 2023/24

Work-related fatalities in the UK 2023/24

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have released the 2023/24 statistics for UK work-related fatal injuries and according to these statistics, there were 138 deaths across all UK workplaces in 2023–24 with the construction industry accounting for more than a third of the total with 51 fatalities. The new figures, which can be found here, show that the annual number of work-related fatalities has remained broadly similar for over a decade. Additionally, as per previous years, male workers co...CONTINUE...

Company and director fined after a catalogue of serious injuries

Company and director fined after a catalogue of serious injuries

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation following an incident at Code-A-Weld, Harfreys Industrial Estate, Great Yarmouth on the 19th November 2022. A man (54 years) was airlifted to hospital and placed into an induced coma after being struck by an object whilst manufacturing steel cable drums for the offshore industry. During the manufacturing process, the jacking set-up failed, causing parts to strike the man in the face. This caused extremely serious injuries in...CONTINUE...

When did you last check your car?

When did you last check your car?

2% OF ALL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO VEHICLE DEFECTS AND FAULTS Given that the National average age of UK vehicles is 8 years, it's no surprise that faults such as tyre blow outs, broken lights and smearing window wipers are causing accidents across the UK. ONLY 44% OF PEOPLE INSPECT THEIR CAR PRIOR TO TRAVELLING FOR WORK.. and of that 44% who do complete checks... • 30% don't check their oil levels • 42% have a warning light on their dashboard • 57% ...CONTINUE...

Man spared jail for unsafe work on own home

Man spared jail for unsafe work on own home

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted a thorough investigation following a site visit to a property where a man was carrying out unsafe work on his home in Manchester. The HSE served enforcement notices to put work to an immediate stop in August 2020. During their initial visit, the Health and Safety Executive found that Abdul Rehman had engaged operatives to help him build an extension to the property on Kings Crescent in Old Trafford. At the property there was an extremely uns...CONTINUE...

Worker drowns and loses life two days later

Worker drowns and loses life two days later

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation was carried out after the death of a construction worker. Gary Webster, a 60-year-old man was repeatedly pulled under water after his boat capsized during routine cleaning of the River Aire. Mr Webster and another worker (who managed to swim to safety) had been removing debris at the bottom of the weir gates at Knostrop Weir. The accident occured when the boat they were using was pulled into churning water due to the considerable rush of w...CONTINUE...

Managing workplace hazards

Managing workplace hazards

Managing hazards in a business is fundamental to maintaining the safety of employees. Under UK law, employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all employees. This means it’s an employer’s responsibility to identify the hazards facing their employees and implement measures to mitigate them. It's fairly common for employees (and in many cases, management) to be unaware of the hazards they face regularly. Those who haven't encountered an accident often feel ...CONTINUE...

Workplace Equipment Inspections - Construction - Farming - Warehousing

Workplace Equipment Inspections - Construction - Farming - Warehousing

Numerous health and safety accidents or incidents occur every day due to equipment being used in the workplace that is improperly managed, maintained or is not made for the intended purpose. Industries such as farming and agriculture, factories, warehouses and construction are all high risk due to numerous equipment types being used daily. Employers are required to ensure that all the workplace equipment provided to employees is regularly inspected and maintained in safe working order. Th...CONTINUE...

Forklift Engineer Seriously Injured during forklift servicing

Forklift Engineer Seriously Injured during forklift servicing

A 47-year-old grandfather sustained multiple fractured vertebrae on the 14th November 2019 at a Pirelli Tyres' factory in Carlisle. The forklift truck engineer was in the process of servicing a truck when two metal skips fell from a stack of waste tyres, crushing Mr Weightman against the ground. A HSE investigation found that in order for Mr Weightman to work on the forklift truck, he had to move the truck. He was however, unaware that the truck was positioned to stabilise the skips. This...CONTINUE...

Motorsport engineering firm fined following HSE inspection

Motorsport engineering firm fined following HSE inspection

A motorsport engineering firm based in Kent has been fined after Britain’s workplace regulator identified numerous health and safety breaches. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited Hispec Motorsport Limited - a specialist designer and producer of aftermarket brake upgrades for road, race, track, and kit cars. During their visits, the inspectors found serious breaches of the law and enforcement notices were issued. The subsequent investigation found the busin...CONTINUE...

22-year-old carpenter sustains fatal head injury

22-year-old carpenter sustains fatal head injury

On 30 October 2019, Niall McCormack from Kettering, Northamptonshire had been working with another carpenter at a new build construction site in Alconbury Weald, Cambridgeshire. The pair were removing trusses from a pack, to then spread and install across there building. As they were in the process of spreading, a gust of wind caught a spandrel panel, pushing it against the remaining trusses in the pack. Both the truss pack and spandrel panel fell into the work area, hitting Niall McCorma...CONTINUE...

Worker crushed at London Heathrow Airport

Worker crushed at London Heathrow Airport

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation after an employee of Dnata Ltd was crushed to death at London Heathrow Airport on the 23rd February 2022. The incident occurred during the unloading of baggage containers from an Emirates Airbus which had arrived from Dubai. The employee walked underneath a high loader (a raised platform similar to a scissor lift) in order to access the other side of a trailer. At the same time the high-loader operator lowered one of its tw...CONTINUE...

Why you should complete daily forklift inspections

Why you should complete daily forklift inspections

Forklift truck inspections can increase productivity by up to 25%. Additionally it will reduce breakdowns by 70% and lowers forklift truck maintenance costs by 25%. Depending on the type of forklift truck, costs and technical sophistication, a broad spectrum of maintenance strategies should be applied. A faulty forklift truck may significantly slow or completely halt your entire production process. Poor maintenance strategies can reduce the overall productive capacity of a warehouse by 5...CONTINUE...

Tragedy at Go-Kart Centre

Tragedy at Go-Kart Centre

Capital Karts in Barking, East London has been fined almost £120,000 after an incident on the 6th August 2021. Newham youth group organised a fun filled day at Capital Karts with a group of teens, however the day turned to horror when one of the teens had to be resuscitated at the venue after her hijab (a traditional muslim headscarf) got caught in a go karts drive axle. Ruwaida Adan, 15, died in hospital of hypoxic brain injury and asphyxiation four days after she visited Capital ...CONTINUE...

Banksman loses leg in MEWP accident

Banksman loses leg in MEWP accident

A food manufacturing company has been fined following a serious incident at its premises in Wirral. Sharon Bramhall had been supervising four members of staff as they completed high-level cleaning tasks during a night shift on the 22nd April 2022. She had been acting as a "banksman" as the MEWP turned at a right angle into the warehouse and struck Sharon, crushing her left leg. The 58-year-old had to have her left leg amputated below the knee following a incident at Baker & Baker Products ...CONTINUE...