The row is not called "forklift"
Annex-III of the Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements in the Use of Work Equipment groups lifting and conveying equipment in Table-2. The forklift is not a row of its own there; it belongs to the row "industrial trucks (forklift, pallet truck, load and personnel carrier, variable-reach truck, order picker and similar)". The same row also covers pallet trucks and order pickers, so every one of those machines in the warehouse follows the same period.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Periodic inspection period | One year where the standards set no period |
| Inspection criteria | TS EN ISO 3691 series, FEM 4.004 |
| Table | Table-2: lifting and conveying equipment |
One year is a ceiling, not a target
The general provisions of Annex-III are explicit: where no period is set in national or international standards, the inspection frequency may not exceed the maximum periods in the regulation's tables. So one year is the ceiling. Based on a risk assessment that takes into account ambient conditions, frequency of use, the age of the equipment, its maintenance history, whether it has been in an accident or overhaul, and previous inspection results, the frequency of tests and examinations may be increased. A forklift running three shifts is not put on the same calendar as one used two hours a week.
The annual inspection does not replace the daily one
The regulation defines separate duties, and none of them covers another:
- Before every use: the operator checks the equipment. Cracks, loose connections, deformation, wear and corrosion are examined visually, functions are tested, and the check is recorded.
- Maintenance: carried out at the intervals set by the manufacturer, by a service authorised by the manufacturer or by persons assigned by the workplace, and recorded.
- Periodic inspection: carried out by an authorised person and documented in a report.
A forklift found during the daily check to have a crack or excessive wear is taken out of service and put through a periodic inspection immediately; the annual date is not awaited.
If a defect is found
If the report states a defect that compromises safe use, the forklift may not be used until the defect is remedied, and the employer must post a clearly visible warning that it is out of service. Once the deficiency is corrected, a second report is issued. Defects are graded as minor or major; a minor defect that is not corrected by the next inspection date counts as major, and the equipment may not be operated.
For the periods and criteria of every equipment type: periodic inspection period table.