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what should employers look for when recruiting a forklift operator?
This interview by SHP with Mentor's Stuart Taylor is reprinted here from August 2022 as the confusion about the so called Forklift Licence continues apace. (TS)
SHP spoke to Stuart Taylor, Managing Director of Mentor forklift training who explains the misconception around the existence of the forklift truck ‘licence’ and talks about what employers should look for when recruiting and hiring a forklift truck operator. Why is there such a misconception around the myth of a forklift truck ‘licence’, where did the terminology originate from and what hazards does it pose?
Stuart Taylor (ST): “To drive a car, you must have a licence, which acts as blanket confirmation that your theory and practical tests have been completed and you are competent to drive this type of vehicle until the licence expires. It is often assumed that the same principle applies to forklift trucks, but the reality is a bit different. In the UK, a forklift operator must complete basic training on a specified truck category, for which they will receive a certificate as proof of that training. Unlike a driving licence, the industry recommendation is that basic training is then refreshed every three to five years, depending on the operating environment and company policy.
“But that’s not all, the operator should then undergo job-specific and familiarisation training, to ensure that they can safely operate in their workplace using their equipment, as per Approved Code for Practice L117. After all three stages of training are complete, the operator will be granted authorisation to operate from their employer – until this time, they should not be allowed unsupervised access to forklift trucks on site.
“Job adverts for operators often ask for a “forklift licence” but what they actually mean is the certificate. The risk is that both operators and those recruiting them may not fully understand all of the steps required to ensure someone is ready to start working safely. And without the relevant preparation, operators (and those working around them) are at increased risk of accidents and injuries.”
If there is no such thing as an official licence, what should employers look for when recruiting and hiring a forklift truck operator?
(ST): “In order to determine an operator’s skillset, the first step for employers is to check any certification that the operator holds. However, it is important to remember that not all certificates are as valuable as others. Any forklift training provider can issue a certificate, but you can’t always guarantee to what standard the operator was trained.
“For assurance, employers should look for courses accredited by members of the Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA), comprising of AITT, RTITB, ITSSAR, NPORS and Lantra. Courses accredited by these bodies must meet the requirements outlined by Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, the HSE.
“It is also important to check the authenticity of any certification. Legitimate certificates provided by an accredited training provider will have unique numbers you can use to verify qualifications. If operators have completed accredited training but do not have a copy of their certificate, this can be confirmed with the accrediting body.”
Is there a way to confirm a forklift operator’s competence?
(ST): “Once any relevant certificates have been checked, employers should practically assess the operator’s current skill levels. They should then identify any training requirements, ensuring that all three elements of forklift training are completed. Once you are happy that they have the skills and knowledge needed to work safely on your site, they can be issued authorisation to operate and provided access to the relevant equipment.
“However, while this ensures that they are competent at this point, this should be regularly reviewed moving forward, as the size and nature of MHE means that any complacency or bad habits that develop can have extremely serious consequences.”
“We would always advise companies to plan training in advance so they can be sure that their operators maintain the skills needed to work safely. Otherwise, they risk compromising on the standard of training available should they not be able to find an accredited provider at short notice.”
Disclaimer. The legislative information contained on this web site is my interpretation of the law based on many years in the health and safety business. A definitive interpretation can only be given by the courts. I will therefore not be held responsible for any accident/incident/prosecution arising as a consequence of anyone using any information obtained from this web site.