What is the VGP of a forklift?

Is VGP mandatory, and how often?

Yes. The French Labour Code (Code du travail) requires periodic general inspections for certain equipment, set by ministerial order (article R4323-23). For lifting appliances, this is the order of 1 March 2004 (arrêté du 1er mars 2004). Its appendix lists “self-propelled lift trucks, ridden or not” and stackers, as well as interchangeable attachments fitted to the forks of lift trucks, telescopic or otherwise.

The VGP is the responsibility of the employer using the forklift. It is carried out by a competent person, who may or may not belong to the company, and whose list is kept available to the labour inspectorate (article R4323-24).

The general rule under the order of 1 March 2004 is a VGP every 12 months. But article 23 brings this down to 6 months for the appliances listed in article 20-II, which include forklifts. INRS's “forklift” factsheet (brochure ED 6339) therefore gives a VGP every 6 months.

To avoid missing it, note the date of each inspection and calculate the next one. Our VGP deadline calculator and our free Excel spreadsheet do this for you.

Which forklifts are covered?

What is checked during a forklift VGP

Under the order of 1 March 2004 (articles 6, 9 and 22), the VGP includes an examination of the state of preservation and functional tests. In practice, the inspector looks at, among other things:

• the general condition of the forklift and parts that may deteriorate: mast or boom, carriage, forks, lifting chains;
• the brakes or devices that stop and then hold the load or the forklift;
• the devices that control the lowering of loads;
• the devices that limit movements (travel limiters, lift limiters...);
• the operation of load and tipping-moment limiters, where the forklift is fitted with them.
• Lifting accessories used with the forklift (slings, hooks...) have their own periodic inspection, every 12 months.

Telehandler with platform, jib or bucket: one VGP per configuration

A telehandler often changes attachment. INRS states that where the forklift has interchangeable attachments, the VGP must be carried out in each of the possible configurations. Example given by INRS: a telehandler with forks, a basket/platform, a jib and a bucket is checked as a forklift, as a MEWP, as a suspended-load lifting appliance and as earthmoving equipment.

Bear this in mind when preparing for the visit: present every attachment you use, otherwise the inspection will be incomplete.

VGP, CACES, servicing: do not confuse them

The VGP covers the machine. CACES and the operator authorisation cover the driver. To drive a ridden self-propelled lift truck, an operator authorisation issued by the employer is required (article R4323-56; INRS lists the equipment concerned). CACES R489 (materials handling trucks) is the most common way of assessing the driver; it is valid for 5 years. All-terrain, mast or telescopic forklifts fall under recommendation R482, category F (construction equipment), whose CACES is valid for 10 years.

Servicing, finally, follows the manufacturer's manual and is recorded in the maintenance logbook, mandatory for lifting appliances (article R4323-19 and the order of 2 March 2004, arrêté du 2 mars 2004). A well-maintained forklift passes its VGP more smoothly, but one does not replace the other.

What Trackary does, and does not do

Trackary tracks the VGP date of each forklift and displays the next deadline, alongside other checks and the hour meter. The report can be filed on the forklift's record, and observations become faults to be scheduled. Trackary does not carry out the VGP, does not issue CACES or operator authorisations, and does not replace the inspection body.