FAQ's

1) Does My Forklift Driver Need To Be Trained?
2) Does My Forklift Truck Need A Seat Belt?
3) What Is A Thorough Examination?
4) What Is Puwer?
5) What Is Loler?
6) How Much Wear Can A Fork Have?
7) A Load Centre – What Is It?
8) How Do I Lift A Person In The Air Safely?
9) What Do I Need To Know About Manual Lifting?
10) Can My Forklift Truck Operate On The Road?


1) Does My Forklift Driver Need To Be Trained?

As per the “Provision And Use Of Work Equipment Regulations 1998” all employees who use and supervise the use of work equipment are required to have training on how to use the equipment, the risks involved and precautions to be taken. Employers should not allow anybody to operate any forklift truck unless they have successfully completed basic training and testing.

2) Does My Forklift Truck Need A Seat Belt?

A forklift truck must have a seat belt as the law on mobile work equipment states that where mobile work equipment is used for carrying people and there is a risk of the equipment rolling or overturning, seat belts must be fitted to avoid any risk of people being crushed between the ground and the equipment. This, however, does not apply to reach trucks or counterbalance trucks with a fully enclosed steel cab with steel doors.

3) What Is A Thorough Examination?

An examination , required by law, to ensure that lifting equipment is safe for the user. Thorough Examinations should be carried out before equipment is put into service and then at regular intervals thereafter ie every 6 months. Examinations should be arranged by the end user or, in the case of hired trucks, it is the responsibility of the hire company. The carrying out of a Thorough Examination can identify whether the equipment is safe to operate and identify any damage or deterioration which can then be rectified. If equipment is moved to a different site or has been involved in an accident or has not been in use for an extended period it should also have a Thorough Examination carried out to ensure it is safe for use.

4) What Is Puwer?

The term PUWER stands for Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and is carried out to make sure that lifting equipment is not a Health & Safety risk, regardless of age, condition and origin. PUWER 1998 applies to all work equipment and requires that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is to be used and that it is maintained and inspected properly . PUWER also requires that in cases where the equipment is likely to have risks involved then the people using it and maintaining it are restricted. It also states that employers and employees have had adequate training on how to use the equipment, the risks involved and any precautions that should be taken. The PUWER is now incorporated in the Thorough Inspection schedule.

5) What Is Loler?

The term LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It applies to all types of lifting equipment including second hand, leased and new equipment. LOLER also includes regulations that specify that management should plan properly any lifting operations involving a forklift truck, supervise them properly and ensure that they are carried out in a safe manner. The LOLER is incorporated in the Thorough Inspection.

6) How Much Wear Can A Fork Have?

A fork can wear to 10% of the thickness of the material on the fork heal, which is normally the thickest part of the fork section.

7) A Load Centre – What Is It?

The load centre on a forklift truck is the distance from the centre of gravity of the load to the front face of the forks and will be shown on the rating plate of the forklift truck. The capacity, lift height and load centre must be taken into account when using the lifting equipment otherwise the truck may become unstable. All operators and supervisors should be familiar with the load centre distance.

8) How Do I Lift A Person In The Air Safely?

People should never be lifted into the air or the forks of a fork truck or on a pallet balanced on the forks as it is dangerous and illegal. If you need to lift a person into the air you must use a properly maintained, purpose built working platform with suitable edge protection and toe boards. This must also be compatible with the fork truck that it is being fitted to. It must be secured to the truck’s elevating carriage or forks in order to prevent it from tipping. Any and all dangerous parts like the chains should be protected with screens or guards so that the person being lifted cannot reach any of them. Any man up equipment must have a Thorough Examination twice per year.

9) What Do I Need To Know About Manual Lifting?

Unsafe use of manual handling is the cause of more accidents and ill health in small companies than any other activity. Employers need to avoid the need for hazardous handling if it is practical and if not practical then they need to assess the risk of injury which cannot be avoided and reduce it accordingly. Employees should use mechanical aids properly and ensure that they follow safe systems of work and remember to adhere to training provided.

10) Can My Forklift Truck Operate On The Road?

Forklift trucks can be taken on the road but a number of things need to be considered first if the truck is to be regularly operated on the road. The truck needs to be licensed with the Department Of Transport. Wherever the truck is operating there must be enough overhead clearance and such things as speed bumps should be avoided, as they are unsuitable for forklift trucks. Areas should be well lit and, if possible, steps need to be taken to avoid pedestrians. All employees should be trained on the forklift truck movements and when used on the road a second person should be provided to deal with other traffic. The operator must hold a current full British Driving License.

 

 

 

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