Forklift safety inspection (UVV): obligations, procedure, intervals
Forklift trucks must be inspected regularly for operational safety – German law requires it. Here is the essence of the UVV inspection: who needs it, how often it is due and how it works.
What is the UVV inspection?
UVV stands for the German accident prevention regulations (Unfallverhütungsvorschrift). For industrial trucks, DGUV regulation 68 applies in conjunction with the German industrial safety ordinance: every forklift must be inspected at least once a year by a qualified person to confirm it is safe to operate – more often under intensive use (e.g. multi-shift operation). A passed inspection is documented with the familiar test badge on the truck.
Why it matters
- Safety at work: brakes, hydraulics, lift chains, forks and safety equipment are checked systematically – defects are found before anything happens.
- Liability: without a valid inspection the operator risks serious consequences in the event of an accident – up to the loss of insurance cover.
- Value retention: regularly inspected and maintained trucks achieve noticeably better resale prices.
How the inspection works at Unilift
Our workshop inspects your forklifts and lifting equipment in line with the current UVV – in Ludwigsfelde or with our service vehicle directly on your premises (within a radius of about 50 km). After the inspection you receive the test report and the badge; if defects are found, we can fix them right away on request. We also inspect entire fleets on schedule – one call is enough, and we remind you in good time before expiry.
