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Do forklift operators need to be trained? 
Yes. It is a legal requirement that all operators have recognised training for the equipment being used.
An employer has a general duty under Section 2 of the Health And Safety At Work Act  1974 To provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the health and Safety of their employees.

To comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 employers are required to "ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken."

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also places duties on Employers to provide training for Lift Truck Operators.
 
By not providing any training at all, an employer could be breaking the law. 
 

Can a forklift operator be prosecuted by the HSE? 
 Yes. Check HERE
 

If I work in Europe does the certificate allow me to operate a forklift truck without an additional test? 
NO. The standard of instruction is ultimately laid down and approved by the UK government of the day. This is not necessarily recognised in Europe.
 
It is the same for workers coming to the UK
 

Is a certificate require to operate an electric pallet truck? 
Yes. The pallet truck is classed as work equipment so the PUWER regulations will apply. According to the regulations your operators should be trained and the certificate provides the documentary evidence that the training has been done and the operators are competent.
(A laden powered pallet truck can often weigh more than double the weight of a car. Crushing accidents involving legs, feet and ankles are commonplace)
  

How often do I have to do a refresher? 
The HSE publication: Workplace Transport Safety recommends a refresher interval of between 3 and 5 years. There is no set frequency for refresher training in legislation. The Code of Practice (L117) advises that employers should continuously monitor the performance of operators to ascertain whether they might need refresher training. Although employers are free to set refresher training intervals, they should not neglect their operators for the intervening periods.

Do Managers or Supervisors need to be trained? 
Yes. "PUWER" regulations 1998 state that "All persons who supervise or Manage   the use of work equipment have received adequate training For the purpose of Health and Safety.

My certificate is for a 4t counterbalance. Will this allow me to operate an 8t truck? 
NO. Rtitb and Itssar have different size categories for Counterbalance Trucks.
Itssar for example have 3 size categories:

    1. Up to and including 5 tonne
    2. Over 5 tonne up to and including 15 tonne
    3. Over 15 tonne

To enable you to drive a Counterbalance of greater capacity you will need to undertake additional training.

Do Forklift trucks have to be inspected daily? 
Yes. A qualified forklift operator must inspect forklifts at the start of every Shift. 
We provide daily check sheets at no extra cost.

If my forklift has a seatbelt do I need to wear it? 
YES. If the truck is fitted with a seat belt (restraint) then use it, even when reversing. Normally it is a self tightening lap strap design allowing for free movement.

Will one certificate cover an operator for all trucks? 
No. The certificate will only cover an operator for the truck that they have undergone training for. For instance a counterbalance certificate will NOT cover an operator for a reach truck. Counterbalance and Reach Trucks are classified as different machines with different operating procedures and handling characteristics. However, because you are already certificated on one machine you need only undertake conversion training to enable you to drive the reach truck
 

Will the certificate be recognised by the Health & Safety and our Insurance Company? 
Yes. BB Training Services is an RTITB & ITSSAR Accredited Training Provider.
(Road Transport Industry Training Board)
(Independant Training Standards Scheme and Register)
All our training courses are to the National Standards.
 

Can training be done at our company premises? 
Yes. On site training is a good idea. It gives operators practice in the working environment. sufficient space must be given for the practical off job training. If you are unsure of the room required please contact BB Training Services.
 

Do operators need a car driving licence? 
No. A driving licence for a car is not needed unless forklifts are being driven on the road.
 

What is the maximum number of trainees that can be trained at one time? 
Only 3 trainees at any one time (ACOP L117)
 

Do operators need to be re-tested? 
Yes. Under Health and Safety guidelines, operators of forklift trucks have to be retested at regular intervals. This is normally every 3-5 years.
 

How old must I be to drive a forklift? 
Operators must be minimum school leaving age, although this may have additional health & safety issues and insurance implications for under 18's, unless they are working in the dockyards where they must be 18 or over.
 

If im only using a forklift once a week do I still need a certificate? 
Yes. You need to be fully trained on any type of forklift truck you use, however occassionally you use it
 

What determines the duration of a training course? 
This is determined by the subject areas stipulated by the training accreditation bodies and the PUWER regulations.  Also, the delegate/trainer ratio and prior experience of the trainee is accounted for. To buy training that promises qualified operators in less than these times is both false economy and extremely high risk.
 

What is the objective of the training? 
The objective of the training is to teach the basic skill, job safety and workplace familiarisation as detailed in the HSC Approved Code of Practice for the Rider Operated Forklift Truck.
 

Why On Site Training? 
  • The trainee will become familiar with the machine to be used once qualified.
  • The Instructor will identify any particular workplace hazards or risks involved.
  • Training fits into the normal work pattern.
  • The trainee does not get involved with additional travel to a training venue.
  • No need for a pool car.
  • Training is usually cheaper than that offered at a training centre. 
 

What should I expect? 
The duration of the course varies from one to five days, depending on the individual's experience. A maximum of three delegates can be trained per instructor.
Each day is a comprehensive eight hours.
The course involves theoretical, practical instruction and testing.
Theoretical instruction requires a suitable, quiet room.
Practical instruction requires a warehouse/yard area.
 
A safe and fully operational truck is required.
 

What training records will I receive? 
Successful delegates will each be awarded a certificate of basic training of practical skills and related knowledge.
Your company will be issued with an individual confidential training report & an Authorisation to Operate on your premises template (this is a requirement of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 & ACOP L117) which states: Employers Responsibility - Following satisfactory completion of training the employee should be given written authorisation to operate the types of truck for which all elements of training have been successfully completed. 
 
 

Is it necessary to keep records of qualified & certified operators? 
Yes it is and BB Training Services will provide companies enough information to do this.  
 
 

What is a Public Road? 
It may seem obvious what it is, but many other types of environment also qualify in law as public roads. In fact it is not always clear what is meant by the term "public road" but one simple definition taken from a fairly recent legal case states:
"Where it is natural to suppose that the public may be found in places such as car parks, laybys, loading bays and private roads through trading or industrial estates"
A court may not be persuaded that land is private where the public have, and use access to, even though a sign may be displayed saying "PRIVATE PROPERTY". Often the final decision on the status of a road will rest with the courts and the best advice is to assume that the place in question is a public road
 

If a forklift is going to travel on a Public Road what must I do? 
If the truck goes onto a public road then it must be registered, taxed and insured.
 

Are BB Training Services courses recognised by the Insurance Companies? 
BB Training Services is accredited by RTITB & ITSSAR, who in turn are accredited by the The Health & Safety commission.
 
It is generally recognised that training carried out by RTITB accredited companies will meet the required minimum standards.
 
We are monitored every 12 months to ensure that the standard is maintained. 
 

Forklift Capacity

What is the heaviest load that you are likely to need to handle? A 3000kg 5m triple mast truck does not mean that you can take a 3000kg load and put it up 5m.
Load weight greatly diminishes as the height of the load increases.
 

Lift Height 
Most forklifts are simply used to unload trucks, but some businesses use pallet racking and need to be able to lift the goods onto the shelves.
A standard mast has an upright that lifts about 3m, whereas warehouse trucks can reach over 10m.
 

Height Restrictions 
If you are operating in an environment with low doorways or need to unload containers then these restrictions need to be taken into consideration when determining the type of mast.
Free-lift masts allow the forks to lift up to 2m without raising the height of the mast itself.

Electric or Gas or Diesel truck 
A common mistake is to buy a forklift with a 3 phase charger only to later discover there is not a 3 phase outlet in your building.
 
Electric forklifts are not very good for climbing ramps and don't like the rain.

Electric forklifts generally have fewer breakdowns than internal combustion trucks and therefore cost about 20% less to operate and maintain but are more complicated and usually require a specially trained technician.

Gas - Also known as LPG (Liquid Propane Gas) emits low emissions that enable it to  be used both indoors and out 
               On average you can get 8-12 hours running time from a full tank.

Diesel - Forklifts with diesel engines are usually large trucks for outdoor use. 
If well maintained, operate very efficiently with minimal problems.

Electric - Battery powered forklift trucks are quiet with virtually no emissions and  are ideally suited to indoor use
On a new battery you can expect to get 6 hours operations from a full charge 

 

Forklift Theory Test Information 

Enforcement of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is the responsibility of the Health Safety Executive and Local Authorities

Health & Safety legislation places responsibility for safety at work on everyone on the premises

An Approved Code of Practice, gives advice to duty holders on how to comply with legislation

Prior to operating a lift truck in the working environment the operator must have written authorisation issued by the employer

The operator is responsible for checking that the lift truck is in good working order before using it

Travel at a speed consistent with the type of load and the general working conditions

When sounding the horn always give several short sharp blasts (2-3)

Do not park a forklift near doorways, switches and electricity boards, fire equipment, blind corners, on inclines, on soft ground, middle of an aisle, fire exits or walkways

In normal circumstances if the load on the forks obscures your view you should travel in reverse, looking in the direction of travel (except when travelling up an incline, then get someone to guide you)

When following another truck keep a minimum seperation distance of three truck lengths

Before moving off with a lift truck in any direction the last thing the operator must do is look all around & then release the parking brake

The term "Laden" means with a load, the term "Unladen" means without a load

When travelling on an incline and laden, the load must face uphill at all times. Unladen, the forks must face down hill

When driving an unladen truck the forks must be positioned as low as practicable and tilted back

To comply with the manufacture's stated lifting capacity the truck's mast must be in the vertical position with the truck on level ground

Net weight = the weight of the load

Gross weight = the weight of the load and packaging

In winter months loads stacked outside may be covered in ice and snow, the effect of this will increase the weight of the load

When using the hydraulic controls always apply the handbrake and select neutral

Apply sufficient tilt to cater for the type of load and ground conditions

The meaning of "free lift" in connection with lift trucks is the distance the forks can be raised before the mast begins to extend

When carrying a load on level ground, the correct position of the forks is 100-150mm (4-6 Inches) off the ground and tilted back sufficiently to stabilise the load

When loading a lorry it is important that loaded pallets are placed tight to one another and against the headboard to reduce load movement in transit especially when the lorry is braking and to ensure the lorry will take a full load

Lorry must have: Engine off, key out of ignition, hand brake on and wheels chocked (wedged) if necessary
 

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