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Forklift Load Testing.Forklift Load Testing

Retrolex Forklifts offers forklift load testing performance tests and certification, in compliance with the Driven Machinery Regulation 18 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).

It is a requirement by law that all forklifts are subject to a load performance test. The following are extracts from the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85, 1993):

“No user shall use or permit the use of a lifting machine unless -


  • It has been designed and constructed in accordance with a generally accepted technical standard;

  • It is conspicuously and clearly marked with the maximum mass load which it is designed to carry with safety: provided that when this mass load varies with the conditions of use a table showing the maximum mass load with respect to every variable condition shall be posted up by the user in a conspicuous place easily visible to the operator.

The user shall cause the whole installation and all working parts of every lifting machine to be thoroughly examined and subjected to
a performance test, as prescribed by the standard to which the lifting machine was manufactured, by a person who has knowledge and experience of the erection and maintenance of the type of lifting machine involved or similar machinery and who shall determine the serviceability of the structures, ropes, machinery and safety devices, before they are put into use following every time they are dismantled and re-erected, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months: Provided that in the absence of such prescribed performance test the whole installation of the lifting machine shall be tested with 110 % of the rated mass load, applied over the complete lifting range of such machine and in such a manner that every part of the installation is stressed accordingly.

Notwithstanding the above mentioned regulation, the user shall cause all ropes, chains, hooks or other attaching devices, sheaves, brakes and safety devices forming an integral part of a lifting machine to be thoroughly examined by a person contemplated in sub regulation (5) at intervals not exceeding six months.

Every user of a lifting machine shall at all times keep on his premises a register in which he shall record or cause to be recorded full particulars of any performance test and examination prescribed by sub regulation (5) and (6) and any modification or repair to the lifting machine, and shall ensure that the register is available on request for inspection by an inspector.

The user shall ensure that every lifting machine is operated by an operator specifically trained for a particular type of lifting machine: provided that in the case of a lift truck with a lifting capacity of 750 kg or more and jib-cranes with a lifting capacity of 5000kg or more at a minimum jib radius, the user shall not require to operate such a lifting machine unless the operator is in possession of a certificate of training, issued by a person or organization approved for the purpose by the Chief Inspector.”

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