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We have received a number of enquiries regarding the position in relation to the need for refresher training and what, if anything, a company needs to do to ensure that they meet their obligations, Allied Health & Safety are pleased to provide the following information. |
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To comply with their duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 98 and general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must ensure that all employees, both new and existing, are adequately trained in order to carry out their duties safely.
The Approved Code of Practice in this case the "Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training. Approved code of practice and guidance - L117" provides advice, guidance for employers in assisting them to comply with the above legislation.
The training of operators to use rider-operated lift trucks ("rider-operated" means any truck capable of carrying an operator and includes trucks controlled from both seated and stand-on positions, which may be fixed or fold-away) should be divided into three stages: |
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| 1. Basic Training |
The basic skills & knowledge required for safe operation. This will be carried out off the job. |
| 2. Specific Job Training |
Knowledge of workplace and experience of any special loads, considerations & handling equipment. |
| 3. Familiarisation Training |
Practical operation on the job under close supervision. |
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Basic Training should follow a carefully devised programme and an instructor should assess the operator throughout its duration. Additionally, operators are required to pass both a practical and theoretical test of the skills and knowledge needed for safe operation on all types of lift truck and attachments that they will or could be required to use in their work. |
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Employers should consider the need to provide the operator with refresher training. This should be carried out at appropriate intervals, particularly before renewing their written authorisation to operate.
Serious consideration should be given to providing refresher training where:
A There are long intervals of time between the operating of lift trucks.
B There is evidence of deterioration, or likely deteriorations (medical reasons) in operating performance
C There is a change in working practices.
D The work involves the movement of hazardous substances or operating in a hazardous environment.
This assessment, which should form part of a firm's normal monitoring procedure and be formally time-tabled to ensure that it is done at reasonable intervals and should take into account the above factors.
The current view taken by H.S.E. is that they would normally expect to see some form of refresher training up to a maximum period of five years from the date of the last test. This is purely a recommendation and most companies, within their own Health and Safety policy, tend to adopt between a three and five year period.
The guiding principle is that employers need to maintain the competence of operators to use lift trucks safely through a laid down, formal process of monitoring and assessment. Failure to comply with the above could invalidate company insurance and our advice would be to check the specifics of your own policy documents. Technically, therefore, a licence, once issued never expires, and it is not, therefore, illegal to drive a fork lift truck after the recommended 3 or 5 year period, but in the event of accident, it could be argued that the company has failed in its obligation to ensure refresher training. |
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