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New forklift truck owners – useful information

We’ve had a few enquiries lately from customers purchasing their first forklift truck so we thought we’d put together some information to help them understand their responsibilities to their employees.

Employers should be aware of the following regulations and guidance (click on the links below for more information):

Approved Code of Practice – L117 Rider Operated Lift Trucks

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l117.htm

This Approved Code of Practice is issued by the HSE and the link above takes you to a free downloadable version (PDF).  Hard copies are available to purchase via HSE’s online shop.

L117 provides advice to duty holders on how to comply with the law in relation to lift trucks. It provides guidance on operator training, equipment selection, safe use, pedestrian safety, maintenance, etc and is an absolute must-have for any employer to possess and be familiar with, if they have a lift truck on site or are acquiring their first lift truck.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 – legislation explained (hse.gov.uk)

LOLER – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l113.htm

PUWER – Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l22.htm

The training we provide is accredited with RTITB (www.rtitb.com) and we are governed by the course durations that they set for each truck and course type.  As a guide, below are the course durations for most rider operated lift trucks:

A novice course (for candidates with no prior training and experience) will be 3 days for 1 trainee, 4 days for 2 trainees and 5 days for 3 trainees.

A basic course (for candidates with prior experience but no formal training) will be
3 days for 2-3 trainees or 2 days for 1 trainee.

A conversion course (for candidates that already have a licence on one type of truck but wish to convert to another) will be 2 days for 2-3 trainees or 1 day for 1 trainee.

A refresher course (for a maximum of 3 trainees who have previously been trained and have proof of prior training) will be a 1 day course.

Please note that for all courses, except novice, we will require copies of previous certificates, if available, or written confirmation of previous training or experience (we can e-mail you a form to complete).

For more information on our courses please contact anne@stackerstraining.co.uk or call 0800 024 8084.