For many professional motorsport teams, the chequered flag has dropped for the last time this year. Shipping containers and air freight are heading home. The race trucks are parked up for a long over-due rest. Before testing begins again it is important to get all your equipment in top condition. But did you know that some engineering equipment legally has to be inspected?
Engineering inspections are an essential aspect of regular maintenance. It is also a statutory requirement that certain pieces of equipment are inspected. When you arrange your insurance through John Morgan Partnership, our broker team will let you know what you need to do. We’ll even arrange any required inspections on your behalf, whenever works for you.
Why do you need inspections?
Inspections on workplace equipment are required under a number of different regulations:
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- Local Exhaust Ventilation Regulations – COSHH Regulation 9 (LEV)
- The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR)
You need to make sure anything you use at the track, or in your workshop, satisfies with the above regulations. Your insurers will require you are compliant with the law at all times. If you have to make a claim on your business insurance and it turns out you haven’t been keeping on top of your maintance, your claim may not be successful.
What engineering equipment needs inspecting?
This list isn’t exhaustive (no pun intended!) but contains some items commonly used by professional motorsport teams that need to be inspected.
- Adjustable height workbenches – inspect every 12 months
- Axle stands – every 6 months
- Bearing presses – every 12 months
- Jacks – trolley, beam, bottle, toe etc. – every 6 months
- Motorcycle lifts – every 12 months
- Pressure washers and steam cleaners – every 14 months
- Rolling road dynos – every 12 months
- Tyre changers – every 12 months
- Vehicle exhaust extraction – every 14 months
- Vehicle jigs – every 12 months
- 2 post or 4 post vechicle lifts – every 6 months
- Paint spray booth extraction systems – every 14 months
- Workshop cranes and engine hoists – every 12 months
After an inspection happens, you’ll be issued with a report confirming whether the item has passed and is safe to use, or if it requires further maintenance. Equipment that has failed an inspection, or hasn’t been inspected within the legal timeframe, must be clearly identified. In the meantime, your team must not use it again until it is certified safe.
Before you get back to the grid next season, make sure you’ve completed all your required inspections and maintenance. The team at JMP have decades of experience of arranging insurance for engineering and motorsport companies. Contact us today to arrange cover that includes financial and liability protection.