Manitou impressed by CFTS thorough examinations

Equipment manufacturer becomes accredited to Consolidated Fork Truck Services

RECOGNIZING the important benefits of full thorough examinations, materials-handling equipment manufacturers Manitou have chosen to become accredited to Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS).

Established more than 10 years ago, CFTS has developed a comprehensive procedure and strict code of practice for thorough examination – giving fork-lift truck users a consistent, safe national standard which fulfils the requirements of both LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998.

For Manitou group area product support engineer Gregg Hampshire, the decision to work to the CFTS standard was a natural one. He said: ‘There’s no single piece of legislation out there governing telehandler and fork-lift truck operations, so the rules about thorough examination are open to interpretation.

‘For truck users, this can mean that what’s checked on their truck can vary depending on who they choose as their provider.

‘CFTS thorough examinations are unique in that they’ve been developed by the industry, for the industry. As a result, the CFTS inspection checklist is comprehensive and very specific, leaving no room for interpretation which can leave customers exposed to risk.

‘For our customers, this means that they can be assured that their trucks have undergone a thorough examination by a competent person who has been specifically trained to work to the high standards demanded by CFTS,’ said Mr Hampshire.

Welcoming Manitou, CFTS chairman Mike Mathias added: ‘In becoming accredited, Manitou have demonstrated their commitment to raising telehandler and fork-lift safety standards.

‘Most recently, the company has implemented a sophisticated training programme across its dealerships. As well as ensuring their competent persons and thorough examinations are up to the marque, this represents a significant step forward for CFTS and industry safety in the UK.’