Do I legally need a forklift licence?

Well if you google, ‘do I legally need a forklift licence?’ you will probably end up on the HSE website, which is a good start. The confusion starts when employers read indirect words like adequate and recommend. Well to set the record straight, the answer is YES, you do legally need a forklift licence. However, there is actually no such thing as a forklift truck licence! read our article on how to get a forklift licence in the UK for more information on this. So, we’ve put together a few pointer to help clear all this confusion up once and for all.

So, there isn’t such thing as a forklift licence but it is the employers responsibility to provide adequate training for the candidate using the forklift truck. This is also applies to the self employed who also need to achieve the same standard. Below is a quote from the PUWER 1998

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) place
certain requirements on employers. You must make sure that all people who use,
supervise or manage the use of work equipment have received adequate training,
which includes:
■ the correct use of the equipment;
■ any risks from its use;
■ the precautions to take.
If you are self-employed, you need to do the same type of training, and achieve the
same standard, as employers are required to provide to their employees.

So the next time somebody states there is no forklift licence or you only need adequate training, please do not misinterpret the text. Training must be received before anyone is allowed to operate the forklift truck. The training company will then issue a certificate to the company as their proof of training.

Benefits of forklift training

1 – Significantly reduces forklift accidents in the workplace

2 – Provides the candidate with a good base knowledge on the forklift

3 – The candidate will understand how to carry out pre-shift checks on the lift truck. This prevents maintenance issues with the forklift.

4 – Instructors usually come on your site in house and train on your truck with you good so the operators in competent on the machine they will be using.

Accidents in the workplace

In 2019-2020 the manufacturing industry made up for a high majority of accidents in the workplace. A high percentage of these accidents involved forklift trucks.

The backbone of any manufacturing company is the forklift truck. Statistics show that the lack of training on forklifts dramatically increases the chances of an accident in the workplace. If an accident happens in the workplace and its found to be through lack of training the HSE will hand out big fines and possibly sentences.

Forklift truck training legal requirements

So remember to operate any self propelled machinery in the workplace, its down to the employer to provide training to the employees. Compared to the hefty fines handed out the price of forklift training is considerably lower. Our instructors will also teach valuable lessons to your staff and reduce the amount of accidents in your company.

If you would like any more information on the subject above, please do not hesitate to contact us.