It is estimated that each year 10% of all investigated accidents involving lift trucks are caused largely by the lack of operator training, resulting in injury to operators and to those around them (Health & Safety Executive (HSE) figures).
Every employer has an obligation to ensure that all operators who use work equipment are trained to approved standards, and that their supervisors are also adequately trained. To quote directly from the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations section 9:
“Every employer shall 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. Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risk which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.”
The approximate time to complete a forklift course will vary depending on previous experience (if any), and the number of delegates attending the course (Maximum of 3 delegates per course).
The theory training allows the operator to gain useful information and knowledge for the safe operation of the truck and current legislation to which he/she must comply.
The practical training aims to enable the operator to operate a forklift safely, including stacking and de-stacking loads at different heights, manoeuvring a loaded forklift in confined spaces and carrying out equipment checks.