Forklift Inspection: Intervals, Costs and Scope

Operators of forklifts are required by law to have regular inspections carried out. Yet questions keep arising in practice: how often is the inspection due? What exactly is inspected? And what does it cost? This guide answers the central questions and explains what applies to rental forklifts.

Yes. The Ordinance on the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Diseases (VUV) obliges the employer to maintain work equipment and have it checked — in particular Art. 32b VUV, set out in more detail by EKAS Guideline 6512. A forklift with known defects, or without evidence of maintenance, may not be used.

An important difference from abroad: Swiss law names no statutory annual interval. The term "UVV inspection" comes from German law and does not apply here. The inspection interval follows from the manufacturer's specifications and the hazard assessment — the company must set it, justify it and document it.

The short answer: in practice, every commercially used forklift is fully checked at least once a year.

There is no fixed statutory interval. What is decisive:

• The manufacturer's specifications: the operating manual is the primary source for the inspection interval
• The hazard assessment: multi-shift operation or intensive use lead to shorter intervals, for example six-monthly
• Aggressive ambient conditions (chemicals, moisture, extreme temperatures): shorten the interval
• Older vehicles or high operating hours: the inspector may recommend shorter intervals

In practice an annual cycle has become established. EKAS Guideline 6512 requires maintenance and checks to be carried out in a planned and documented way — a defined interval in the maintenance plan is therefore mandatory, even without a statutory figure.

Independently of this, the operator must carry out a visual and functional check before work begins. That is not a periodic inspection but an ongoing operator duty.

Checklist: scope of the forklift inspection

A complete check covers at least:

Lifting frame and forks:

• Lifting mast for deformation, cracks and wear
• Fork tines for dimensional accuracy, cracks and bending (at least 10 % loss of thickness = replacement)
• Fork carriage and fixing elements

Lifting chains and hydraulics:

• Lifting chains for wear, chain elongation and lubrication
• Hydraulic cylinders for leaks
• Hydraulic lines and connections

Brakes and steering:

• Service brake, parking brake, regenerative brake (on electric forklifts)
• Steering system for ease of movement and play

Safety devices:

• Load limiter and overload protection
• Warning and signalling devices (horn, warning systems)
• Operator protection (seat belt, operator cage or overhead guard)

Electrical system (electric forklifts):

• Battery, charger, cable connections, plugs
• Drive motors and control units

Vehicle frame and wheels:

• Frame for cracks and deformation
• Tyres for tread depth, damage and correct pressure
• Counterweight fixing

Documentation:

• Completeness of the vehicle documents, control log and inspection report
• Legibility of the type plates and markings

The inspection must be carried out by a specialist within the meaning of EKAS Guideline 6512 — a person with relevant training as an automation technician, polymechanic or agricultural machinery mechanic, demonstrated experience with industrial trucks and current activity in the field of the forklifts being inspected. A recognised inspection body is not required for forklifts — unlike for cranes under the Crane Ordinance.

Luibl Rental does not offer inspection services or qualification to third parties. Details on the specialist: Who may carry out the inspection? →

Inspection costs depend on the forklift type, the inspection body and the effort involved. As a guide from the market:

• Electric counterbalance forklifts (1.5–3.5 t): approx. 180–320 CHF per inspection
• Diesel forklifts (3–8 t): approx. 230–400 CHF per inspection
• Heavy-duty forklifts (>8 t): approx. 350–600 CHF per inspection
• Reach trucks / narrow-aisle trucks: approx. 210–360 CHF per inspection

Influencing factors: inspector (internal/external), travel flat rate, and where applicable the service life and age of the equipment. Obtain comparative quotes from recognised inspection bodies. These figures are guide values without warranty.

Once the check is passed, the specialist must:

1. Issue an inspection report documenting all positions checked, defects identified and measures taken
2. Make the inspection status identifiable on the vehicle (marking showing the date of the next check)
3. Make the entry in the company's control log or maintenance plan

The records must be kept at the company and produced to the supervisory bodies — Suva, SECO or the cantonal labour inspectorate — on request.

If the specialist identifies defects, in practice these are graded in stages:

• Immediate withdrawal from service: defects with an immediate risk of accident — for example cracked fork tines or a failing brake. The forklift may not continue to be operated.
• Remedy defects, then re-check: significant defects without an immediate risk of accident — for example excessive chain wear or defective warning devices
• Monitor: minor defects to be remedied at the next regular check

Once safety-relevant defects have been remedied, a re-check must take place before the vehicle is used again. The grading is a practical convention used by inspection bodies — what is decisive is the VUV requirement that defective work equipment must not be used.

Anyone renting forklifts from Luibl Rental receives exclusively inspected vehicles with a valid inspection record. The periodic inspection rests with Luibl Rental as lessor — you as the hirer do not organise it.

Our own low-loader fleet ensures that forklifts of every size class are delivered to your place of use on schedule and safely — throughout Switzerland and across Europe. The range includes electric, diesel and Gas forklifts from leading manufacturers.

The operator of the rented forklift is nevertheless obliged to carry out a visual and functional check before work begins — that is an operator duty regardless of whether the machine is rented or owned. Likewise, the instruction under Art. 6 VUV remains your task.

On operator qualification (the forklift driving permit under EKAS Guideline 6518): for this we refer you to external, recognised training providers. Details: Forklift driving permit — everything on the training requirement →

Rent forklifts → | Send an enquiry →

How often is the forklift inspection due?

There is no statutory annual interval. The manufacturer's specifications and the hazard assessment are decisive; in practice an annual cycle is customary. What matters is that the company has set, justified and documented the interval. The visual and functional check before work begins is a separate operator duty.

Is there a "UVV inspection" for forklifts in Switzerland?

No. The term comes from German law. In Switzerland the maintenance and checking duty under VUV Art. 32b applies, set out in more detail by EKAS Guideline 6512. The technical scope is comparable, but the legal basis and the logic of intervals differ.

What is inspected?

The lifting frame and fork tines, lifting chains, hydraulic system, brakes, steering, all safety devices, the vehicle frame, tyres and the electrical system (on electric forklifts). The specialist produces a complete inspection report.

What does the inspection cost?

Depending on the forklift type and the effort involved, inspection costs range from approximately 180 to 600 CHF. Electric forklifts up to 3.5 t typically cost 180–320 CHF, heavy-duty forklifts above 8 t approximately 350–600 CHF.

Does a rented forklift need its own inspection?

No — if you rent from Luibl Rental. All rental forklifts are delivered with a valid inspection record and complete documentation. The periodic inspection is the task of Luibl Rental as lessor. Instructing the operators under Art. 6 VUV remains with you.