Formal inspection and certification from St Clare Engineering 

Buying properly made forklift truck drum handling equipment from St Clare Engineering is the best way to ensure you will be able to lift, move and tilt drums safely for decades.

However, wear and tear or damage can impair the safety or efficiency of any equipment. So, we recommend regular inspection, servicing and testing by our experienced team.

Why should I book regular services?

It is important that any lifting equipment you use is kept safe and reliable:

  • To ensure the health and safety of your team
  • To maximise efficiency
  • To comply with legislation
  • To meet insurance requirements

By scheduling regular maintenance and servicing checks you can minimise the risk of unseen problems with potential to disrupt your business or cause injury.

What are my legal obligations when lifting drums?

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require any organisation undertaking lifting operations to manage and control the risks to avoid any injury or damage. LOLER is supported by an approved Code of Practice and guidance from the HSE, and is reflected in the terms of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) governing more general work equipment.

Both criminal and civil courts will expect businesses to comply with these requirements, and your insurance will therefore be based on you carrying out the necessary inspection, testing and servicing at regular intervals.

How can I ensure my drum lifting equipment is safe?

St Clare Engineering is expert in designing robust drum handling equipment to the very highest standards. We know and understand our products intimately, so are well placed to provide inspection, testing and preventative maintenance to ensure your team can safely lift and move drums.

Our experts at St Clare Engineering have offered annual service checks for all of our products since we started manufacturing the Grab-O-Matic drum handling attachment back in 1959. Some of our drum lifting equipment has returned for an annual service every year for over 30 years – preventative maintenance clearly helps our robust equipment to give long service!

When should a service take place?

You should inspect your forklift truck drum handling equipment regularly in-service prior to use, to spot any issues at an early stage. Formal inspection by St Clare Engineering, or another suitably trained person, should also take place:

  • every 6-12 months according to LOLER
  • more often if the equipment is exposed to environmental conditions that cause deterioration, or is used constantly on a 2 or 3 daily shift system
  • After any damage or failure, or any long period out of use.

What about down time?

We understand that down time can be an issue when you are without your drum handlers, so we offer loan equipment (FOC except delivery and collection cost) to ensure your operation can keep going without interruption.

We also minimise down time by carrying out all maintenance, inspection and testing at our factory in Eastleigh, which includes all necessary inspection and testing equipment. We stock all spares and can carry out any repairs quickly and efficiently so that your drum handling equipment is back working for you as soon as possible.

What does a St Clare Engineering service involve?

We need to check that the lifting equipment is of adequate strength and stability, is in good working order without signs of wear and is clearly marked with its ‘safe working load’ and all other relevant labelling.

Our formal inspection includes:

  • Visual inspection – we check for signs of wear and tear, corrosion and any weld cracks
  • Drum test – a practical lifting and manoeuvring test to check the drum lifting equipment or attachments are working safely and properly
  • Hot de-grease and full lubrication
  • Pull test – we test for mechanical strength and load capability.

If faults or damage are detected that will affect the safe operation, we will issue a written quotation for the repair or replacement of parts. We do not carry out any works until we have written permission to do so in the form of a purchase order or reference.

Once the work is completed, we return the item with a test certificate to prove you have complied with the regulations.

We keep your drum handling equipment safe

Service and preventative maintenance from St Clare Engineering will extend the life of your Grab-O-Matic drum handling equipment and help you look after the health and safety of your team.

We ensure that all drum handling equipment repaired or modified by us is properly tested to the same high standards, so your business and your people can get back to work quickly and safely.

For more information on inspection and certification, or to book a service, contact us on the details below.

Andy Bow – St Clare Engineering Ltd
Tel: 02380 643402
Fax: 02380 642189
Email: sales@stclare-engineering.co.uk
Web: www.stclare-engineering.co.uk