VNA Specialist Inspection

The Thorough Examination of a VNA fork lift – Very Narrow Aisle, requires a fully trained specialist.

Our engineers are fully trained in VNA inspection including abseil descent.

It can take up to 2hrs to fully inspect the equipment, which includes driving it in the aisle to check  steering systems & end of aisle slowdown, speed restriction or automatic stop and that all controls are functioning correctly and doesn’t need any modifications to ensure it is  running correctly and safely .

There are things that can go wrong with a VNA,  many of which even the driver would not realise due to the amount of automated safety systems integral to the trucks design. Faults which if not detected early on can mean the equipment being taken off the road and out of use  with the

 resulting increase  in costs and down time.

The VNAs are set up when they are installed for specific aisle  & site requirements, these settings can and often do, alter during the trucks working life and may need adjustment before rendering the truck undriveable.  

Simply having someone inspect without driving and testing the equipment properly, can  leave you wide open to court proceedings in the event of an incident causing injury or any occurrence  reportable under RIDDOR.

During the inspection  if your own driver was asked to drive the equipment and report verbally as to the  running of the machine, it will be your driver and your Company’s legal liability should anything occur.

If you have only had a LOLER inspection which is for chains and forks this does not cover all of your legal responsibilities .

Another point to consider is the measuring of the chains. Have you ever had to have chains replaced because the inspector was unable to measure them? Perfectly good chains being replaced at your cost because the Inspector does not have the right equipment, ladders, steps or training?

As our engineers are  highly trained  forklift truck & VNA experts, they will  have the correct equipment to measure the chains in  various  places  to ensure they are within the legal limit of wear and if they are, they will not need to be replaced. 

An inspection of a VNA is required every 6 months under LOLER & PUWER 1998 regulations.