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Every company or owner of forklift machine has a lawful obligation to have their forklift machine load tested annually and inspected, and every 250 hours your forklift should be serviced then a major forklift service should be done every 1000 hours. This is in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993, Driven Machinery Regulation 18 (5), which states that every forklift machine’s whole installation and all working forklift parts should be examined and subjected to a performance test.

The load test should be done as prescribed by the standard to which the forklift machine was manufactured, by a person who has the required knowledge and experience of the erection and forklift maintenance of the type of forklift machine involved or similar machinery. They need to determine the serviceability of the structures, ropes, machinery, and safety devices before they are put into use. Furthermore, lifting machinery especially forklifts should be inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

To ensure the legality of your load test for your forklift, you should ensure that your company is accredited with the Department of Labour as a Lifting Machine Entity. Additionally, the technician performing the load test on your forklift must be accredited with the relevant authorities. The load test should be done following SANS 10388 (Inspection, test & examination of lift trucks) procedures.
During the load testing, various components and parts are checked and reported on in accordance with the South African National Standard 10388. Failure to comply with these legal requirements and standards could lead to serious consequences and accidents.

The most common reasons for failure during load testing for a forklift include:

• Cracked welds
• Damaged lifting chains and ropes
• Faulty brakes
• Overloading causing deformation of structural components
• Worn-out forklift tyres and forklift rims

Regular load testing and inspection of your forklift machine can prevent serious accidents, machine downtime, and legal implications. It is crucial to ensure that your forklift machine is safe and meets the necessary legal requirements and standards.