With their invaluable materials-handling capabilities, forklift trucks are ubiquitous across warehouses and logistics hubs worldwide. However, safely operating these powerful machines with suspended loads demands extensive skill and training.
This raises an important question: is holding a valid forklift operator’s licence an obligatory legal prerequisite for running lifts on the job?
The short answer is yes – widely adopted safety regulations mandate that all forklift operators undergo formal accredited forklift operator training, testing and licensing to operate lifts across sectors in the UK and Europe legally.
Forklift Operating Regulations in the UK
Various laws and codes govern forklift use in workplaces, chief among them being:
- PUWER – The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) designate employers must ensure lift trucks are appropriately maintained and operators are properly trained.
- LOLER – The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) further stipulates regular examinations and certification of equipment involved in lifting, such as forklifts.
- HSE Guidelines – The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises organisations to develop robust internal forklift procedures beyond minimum legislation.
- Approved Code of Practice – This HSE code provides best practices for lift truck operator training standards and licensing.
These wide-ranging regulations make it clear that the untrained, unlicensed use of forklifts does not satisfy UK legal health and safety duties for businesses. Penalties for violations include substantial company fines and civil lawsuits.
Forklift Operator Licence Requirements
To comply with prevailing forklift codes and guidance, organisations must:
- Ensure operators are at least 18 years old and medically fit for operating duties.
- Enrol drivers in formal forklift training programmes accredited by bodies like the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT) or the Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB).
Make sure you meet these requirements regarding the training itself:
- Training must cover truck operations, load handling, safety procedures, workplace hazards and pre-shift checks.
- Upon completing training, operators must pass a practical assessment by an accredited examiner to receive their licence.
- Refresher training and evaluation is advised every 3-5 years after that to maintain competency.
Forklift licences prove operators have received proper job site instruction specific to the equipment and environments where they will operate.
Benefits of Mandatory Forklift Operator Licensing
Legal compliance aside, enforcing forklift operator certification provides noteworthy advantages:
- Improved safety – Properly trained operators help avoid incidents through caution, hazard recognition and adherence to safe procedures.
- Accountability – Licences allow managers to verify trained personnel and restrict untrained drivers easily.
- Consistency – Everyone learns the same operating techniques, vocabulary, and familiarity with site layout.
- Confidence – Hands-on practice bolsters operator comfort levels when manoeuvring loads.
- Oversight – The licensing process identifies operators that require additional coaching.
- Induction – Training familiarises new starters with company equipment and protocols.
- Assessment – Testing validates that operators retain the training content rather than just passively participate.
- Reduced damage – Skilled operators minimise impacts and mishaps that harm infrastructure.
- Focus – Licences place safe vehicle operation responsibilities firmly on trained operators.
Mandating forklift licences ensures broader organisational compliance whilst preventing avoidable incidents that carry human, legal and financial consequences.
Choosing a Reputable Forklift Training Provider
Alongside mandating operator certification, managers should carefully vet potential forklift training providers, favouring those who:
- Use accredited instructors with extensive industry backgrounds.
- Maintain excellent Ofsted inspection ratings.
- Provide training onsite with your own equipment models and parameters.
- Accommodate inductions in different languages as required.
- Furnish legally required accreditation and testing services.
- Customise courses to your precise site layouts and protocols.
- Deliver strong RoI through improved safety and material flows.
TAG’s Forklift Driver Training
TAG Forklift Trucks proudly offers comprehensive, accredited forklift driver training to individuals and businesses in the North-West. Suitable for novices and those looking for a refresher, we offer training for a variety of forklifts, including:
- CAT B1 (up to 5-ton trucks),
- CAT B2 (up to 10-ton trucks),
- Reach Trucks CAT D1 (up to 5-ton) with a mast from 3-8 metres,
- Aisle Master (pivot steer)
An RTITB-accredited forklift driver leads our training courses on-site, so you’re assured your drivers tick all the necessary boxes for your specific operation when they’ve completed training.
Watch this space: We’re preparing to open our own accredited forklift training centre in 2024. It’ll include a range of environments, including tight warehouse spaces and uneven construction sites, to ensure your drivers can handle any situation
Contact Us Today
Forklift licences aren’t just mandatory in the UK and EU – they’re essential for a safer, more efficient workplace. Proper training and certification boost operator skills, improve accountability and lead to smoother workflows.
To discuss forklift operator training and licensing tailored to your team’s needs, contact us today at 0161 848 0555.
