When you look at the statistics, it is easy to see why forklift driver training is so important. Around 22% of all transport-related workplace accidents involve a lift truck of some kind, Whether this be operators themselves or very often pedestrians. UK employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their employees and other people on their premises. 

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Forklift certification

 

Historically there has been some confusion because businesses are not required by law to issue training certificates for forklift driver training or a forklift refresher course. This means that there is, in effect, no generic forklift licence. However, there is a legal requirement to ensure the safety of all people in a workplace, particularly when it comes to using equipment, and it makes sense to ensure the standardization and transferability of forklift driver training through the issuing of forklift certification. At Cox Training and Consultancy we offer a full range of ITSSAR (Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register) accredited courses at your location. 

 

The legal implications of forklift driver training

 

Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), all employers are required to ensure that anybody using or overseeing the use of work equipment including those who are self-employed, have received adequate training. All ITSSAR forklift driver training courses follow the HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)(L117)  for lift truck operator training, which includes detailed guidance on potential lift truck operators, training objectives, testing, familiarization training and authorization. The HSE ACOP states that certificates of training offer, ‘evidence that operators have received relevant training and achieved an appropriate level of ability’.

 

Forklift driver training and liability

 

It is impossible to avoid some element of liability if accidents occur on company property or when people are using company equipment. However a companies that are running with untrained forklift operators, or companies that fail to have an adequate health and safety policy, including policies on forklift driver training and forklift refresher courses, is going to have far larger liability claims on their hands than one with a measured and comprehensive policy that includes nationally accredited forklift certification.

 

For new employees

 

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) are very clear that there is officially no such thing as a lift-truck or forklift licence. This means that, when a new employee joins your team, you are responsible for either ensuring that accredited training takes place or checking any previous qualifications. If it has not been provided by an ITSSAR accredited organisation, the quality of the training will be difficult to verify and it will be up to you, as the employer, to take the sensible decision to provide access to a suitable forklift refresher course.

 

For existing employees

 

The HSE regulations state that previously trained or experienced lift truck or forklift operators should be ‘routinely monitored and, where necessary, retested or refresher trained’ in order to ensure the safe continuation of forklift use. Any employer who ignores or attempts to skirt around this instruction could be skating on thin ice. A considered forklift certification and forklift refresher course policy will cover the slightly subjective ‘where necessary’ element of this directive. At Cox Training and Consultancy we offer ITSSAR fully accredited fork truck courses.

 

Representing a good return on course fees

 

Lift truck accidents are not only costly in terms of injury compensation and insurance costs; even in an accident where nobody is injured, costs related to damaged equipment, stock and even buildings can quickly escalate. Drivers who are trained correctly through initial forklift certification or a forklift refresher course are less likely to cause accidents, less likely to injure themselves and require sick leave and less likely to place ‘blame’ on their employer should an accident occur. All of our ITSSAR forklift driver training courses, plus our forklift refresher courses include accreditation. And entering on the National TOPS Database.

 

Forklift driver training can be a boost to your staff retention

 

Staff who don’t receive correct and necessary training are not only a danger to themselves and other people, they can more easily become disgruntled and consider leaving a post. The costs of replacing employees who leave an organisation are high and include advertising and interview costs, the downtime whilst a replacement employee is found and the logistics of getting somebody new up to speed. Accredited forklift certification and access to a forklift refresher course are of importance to your employees and may prove to be an attractive factor when it comes to workforce retention and recruitment.

 

Voluntary accreditation for forklift driver training

 

We are proud to offer courses that have been accredited by the ITSSAR.  Accreditation in this manner is voluntary but we feel it is a vital tool that enables us to assure quality of training, and guarantee worthwhile forklift certification. It is the job of an accreditation organisation to ensure that all forklift driver training meets the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice for lift-truck operator training by setting and maintaining professional standards and making it easier for employers to select courses that offer a high standard of training.

 

For any employer or manager responsible for the safety of a workforce that uses lift-truck equipment, a solid health and safety approach will include measured company policy on forklift certification and when employees should take a forklift refresher course. At Cox Training and Consultancy we offer a comprehensive range of fork lift training for new employees, existing employees, supervisors and managers. Get in touch with us today on 07599 060296 to find out more and obtain a free, no-obligation quote for your training needs.