PUWER 1998 · Work equipment

Pallet truck inspection under PUWER

Independent inspection of your pallet truck as work equipment, against the PUWER duties, by a competent engineer surveyor.

A pallet truck lifts a load just enough to clear the floor, under 300mm, so it is work equipment under PUWER rather than lifting equipment under LOLER. That means a risk-based inspection and a written record, not an insurance certificate.

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  • Independent and impartial
  • Competent engineer surveyors
  • Reports issued promptly
Under 300mmA low lift is PUWER work equipment, not LOLER
Risk basedInterval set by how hard the truck is worked, not a fixed date
A written recordA dated inspection record, not a certificate
Lifts higher?A truck raising above 300mm also needs LOLER
Work equipment we inspect

Why your pallet truck needs PUWER inspection

A hand pallet truck raises a load only far enough to roll it clear of the floor, a few centimetres, before moving it. Because that lift is under 300mm and is there to transport rather than to raise the load, it sits outside LOLER and falls to PUWER as work equipment, with no insurance inspection and no certificate.

Under Regulation 6 the inspection is risk-based: suitable for the job, kept in good condition, inspected by a competent person and the result recorded. We work the truck through a lift and a lower and examine the hydraulic unit and lowering valve, the forks and entry rollers, the load and steer wheels, and the tiller and its controls. A high-lift truck or stacker that raises above 300mm crosses into LOLER as well.

Hydraulic lift unit
Lowering valve
Forks and heels
Entry rollers
Load wheels
Steer wheel
Tiller and controls
Frame and welds
How it works

How we inspect your pallet truck

A competent engineer surveyor checks the truck through a lift and a lower: the hydraulic unit that raises the forks and the lowering valve that should let them down under control, the forks and their heels for cracks and wear, the load and steer wheels and their bearings, and the tiller and controls. On a powered truck the brakes and battery are checked too.

  • 1

    Get in touch

    Tell us how many pallet trucks you run, hand or powered, and how heavily they are used.

  • 2

    On-site inspection

    A competent engineer surveyor inspects each truck through a lift and a lower, with its hydraulics, forks, wheels and controls.

  • 3

    Your record

    You receive a clear, dated inspection record, anything that needs attention flagged and the next date to plan around.

Why businesses choose SEIS

  • Independent and impartial: we inspect the truck, we do not sell or hire it
  • Competent engineer surveyors used to materials-handling equipment
  • Inspection of the truck as it is used, not a generic checklist
  • Clear records issued promptly, with the next due date flagged
What we check

Pallet truck: what a thorough inspection covers

Hydraulic lift unit

The pump and lift cylinder that raise the forks, checked for leaks and for a ram that no longer holds, because a truck that drops its load mid-move is a crushing risk.

Lowering valve

The valve that controls the descent, checked so the forks come down smoothly and not in a sudden drop that can trap a foot or shift a load.

Forks and heels

The fork blades and the heels where they meet the frame, examined for cracks, bending and wear, the points that carry the whole load.

Load and steer wheels

The load wheels under the fork tips and the steer wheels at the tiller, with their bearings and tyres, so the truck rolls true and does not seize or shed a wheel.

Tiller and controls

The tiller arm, the lift and lower controls and, on a powered truck, the brakes and emergency stop, so the operator keeps full control.

Frame, welds and decals

The chassis and welds for damage from impact, and the load-rating decals, so the truck is used within its marked capacity.

Intervals and your record

How often, and what you receive

PUWER sets no fixed interval for a pallet truck. Under Regulation 6 the frequency follows the risk: at suitable intervals because the truck is exposed to wear and knocks, and again after any event that could have affected it. An annual inspection is a sensible minimum, and in daily, harsh or high-collision use the checks may step up to weekly or even daily. A standard truck stays under PUWER, while a high-lift truck or stacker raising above 300mm also needs a LOLER thorough examination.

No fixed intervalFrequency set by risk and how the equipment is used
After assemblyRe-inspected where safe use depends on correct assembly or relocation
A written recordA dated inspection record, not a statutory certificate
Where it liftsAny powered lifting function is examined under LOLER

Anyone selling a PUWER certificate is using a marketing word, not a legal one. We issue a clear, dated inspection record you can hand to an HSE inspector or your insurer.

The price follows your equipment, not a rate card: see what drives a PUWER inspection quote.

Full statutory cover

Part of our full PUWER inspection service

Pallet truck is one of the many kinds of equipment we cover. We inspect the full range, across every sector, as an independent provider, one item or a whole site, anywhere in the UK.

See our full PUWER inspection service
Other services

Other statutory inspections we carry out

Many sites run more than one regime. We can examine all of it, under one independent provider.

LOLER inspectionThorough examination and certification of lifting equipment and accessories. PSSR examinationWritten Schemes and certified examination of pressure systems. LEV testingLEV thorough examination and test of your extraction systems.
PUWER FAQs

Pallet truck inspection: common questions

Does a pallet truck need a PUWER inspection?
Yes. A pallet truck is work equipment, so PUWER applies: it must be suitable, kept in good condition and inspected where it is exposed to wear, and the result recorded. The duty is set out in the HSE guidance on PUWER.
Is it a PUWER certificate or a record?
A record. A standard pallet truck does not need an insurance inspection or a certificate. PUWER produces a written inspection record, kept at least until the next inspection, and there is no such thing as a PUWER certificate. Our guide to PUWER explains the difference.
LOLER or PUWER for a pallet truck?
A standard truck lifts the load under 300mm, only enough to clear the floor, so the lift is for transport and falls under PUWER, not LOLER. A high-lift truck or stacker that raises a load above 300mm crosses into LOLER as well and needs a thorough examination.
How often should a pallet truck be inspected?
There is no fixed interval. An annual inspection is a sensible minimum, and in daily, harsh or high-collision use the checks may be weekly or even daily. We help you set a frequency that matches how hard the trucks are worked.
What does the inspection cover?
The hydraulic lift unit and lowering valve, the forks and their heels, the load and steer wheels and bearings, the tiller and controls, and the frame, welds and load-rating decals. On a powered truck we also check the brakes, emergency stop and battery.
Who is competent to inspect a pallet truck?
PUWER requires a competent person, someone with the knowledge and experience to know what to look at, what to look for and what to do about anything found. Our engineer surveyors inspect materials-handling equipment regularly.
Do you inspect powered pallet trucks as well as hand trucks?
Yes. We inspect both. On a powered truck we add the service and parking brakes, the emergency stop, the battery and connections and the transmission to the hydraulic and structural checks, and we flag if it lifts high enough to need LOLER.
Do you inspect pallet trucks across the UK?
Yes. Our engineer surveyors travel to warehouses and factories nationwide, a single truck or a whole fleet. Call 0330 043 8191 to arrange a visit around your operation.

Is your pallet truck due a PUWER inspection?

Talk to an engineer surveyor, get a quote and book your inspection anywhere in the UK.

0330 043 8191 Request a quote