How Often Does Your Plant and Equipment Need Inspecting?

Engineering inspection service specialists, Thurra, have provided some very useful information. Please click on the link below.

If you are unsure if you need any items inspecting please call us on 01772 555585.

Thurra Inspection Guide

Christmas and New Year Opening Times

Monday December 23rd        Open 9:00am – 5:00pm

Tuesday December 24th        Open 9:00am – 12:30pm

Wednesday December 25th  Closed

Thursday December 26th      Closed

Friday December 27th            Closed

Monday December 30th        Closed

Tuesday December 31st         Closed

Wednesday January 1st          Closed

Thursday January 2nd            Open 9:00

Fork Lift Truck – Common Defects

The Thurra team of Engineer Surveyors are out in the field, in all sorts of workplaces, inspecting plant and equipment day-in day-out, so we asked them for their thoughts on the most common faults they find with forklift trucks and what you, as users can do to help avoid life threatening accidents and costly insurance claims from arising.

Thurra’s Engineers’ top 5 defects are as follows:

1. Ineffective parking brakes – this defect should be picked up on daily checks. As with the parking brake on a car, if this is defective, it should be reported as a serious defect, however, our surveyor can risk-assess the client, the site and use of the truck, before deciding on an appropriate course of action.

2. Inoperative / disconnected seat safety switches – again, should be picked up on a daily check, however, we often find these disconnected and it is apparent that the operators have carried this out. The seat switch should do one of three things, cut the operation of the mast/fork controls, bring the truck to a stop, or just sound a warning alarm/provide a warning on the truck dash.

3. Worn / distorted forks – the allowance for fork wear at the heels is 10% material loss. For deflection (the fork tip), this is calculated as 3% of the length of the fork. Check frequently against the original measurement.

4. Seized load chain links – proper maintenance should prevent this, however, in harsh environments, cold store use, timber yards, the chain links can seize easily, so extra vigilance needed here.

5. Ineffective / inoperative seat belts – again, should be picked up on a daily check. Quite often driver’s do not bother wearing them, but they should work in the correct manner. Common faults are the seat belt not locking, or the retaining clip not locking the belt in position.

If you require advice or help on any of the above, please speak to us on 01772 555585. We will be happy to arrange a call to Thurra for technical advice, or a visit by an experienced engineer, who will be happy to advise.

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Driving in the EEA after Brexit

Following the uncertainty of the impact on UK policyholders driving in the European Economic Area (EEA) after Brexit, the ABI has issued guidance for policyholders.

What’s the impact on policyholders when the UK leaves the EU?

If the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 without a withdrawal agreement in place, and in the absence of a specific agreement to the contrary, your policyholders need to ensure they carry a physical Green Card while driving their vehicles in the EEA and some other countries (Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland).

Drivers with a UK driving licence travelling in the EU and EEA Countries may also need to obtain an IDP (International Driving Permit).

From 28 March 2019, all commercial trailers weighing over 750kg and non-commercial trailers weighing over 3,500kg must be registered with the DVLA before travel to or through most EU and EEA countries and a separate Green Card will be required for these.

What are Green Cards?

Green Cards are an international certificate of insurance issued by insurance providers in the UK, guaranteeing that the motorist has the necessary minimum motor insurance cover for travel in the country they are visiting.