Course description
Pallet trucks come in many forms and can be pedestrian or rider operated or in some cases both, with a stand on platform.
We train on all makes and models from manual hand pallet trucks and low-level order pickers through to ride on powered pallet trucks.
- Pedestrian Pallet Truck – A1 Pedestrian Pallet Truck
- Rider Pallet Truck – A2 Rider Pallet Truck
- Low Level Order Pickers – A2 Rider Low Lift Platform Trucks and A2 Rider Low Lift Order Picking Trucks
- Pedestrian Manual & Semi Manual Hand Pallet Truck – Z1 Hand Pallet Truck
Do you work at this organisation and want to update this page?
Is there out-of-date information about your organisation or courses published here? Fill out this form to get in touch with us.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Age
Most trainers won’t train anyone under the age of 17, and most employers won’t employ drivers under 18 due to limitations in place due to the weight of forklifts they are operating.
Medical Fitness
Forklift drivers and operators need to have the appropriate medical fitness level for the work they are expected to undertake.
It is good practice for all operators to be screened for fitness before employment and at regular intervals.
Normal levels of fitness required by forklift operators are:
General – Operators should have full movement of the trunk, neck, limbs and normal agility.
Vision – Operating a lift truck depends on good judgement of space and distance and this required effective use of both eyes. Distance vision should be of the same standard for driving a car on public roads.
Hearing – The ability to hear instructions and warning signals is important, although a risk assessment can be taken to determine if deafness does not constitute a hazard.
An experienced worker who loses a lib can retrain, but a stable disposition is required. An individual who is dependant on alcohol or non-prescribed drugs should not be employed as a lift truck operator.
Driving License
You don’t need to hold a valid UK driving license to operate a forklift truck unless you need to drive the forklift on public roads or highways.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
We offer BRITTOp and RTITB accredited training courses across the UK.
- Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB)
- The accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA)
- British register of Industrial truck trainers and operators (BRITTOp)
- Member of British Safety Council
Training Course Content
- Course induction
- The need and reasons to training and statutory requirements (HASAWA 1974 etc.)
- Introduction to equipment/control familiarisation/principles of operation
- Identification/use/adjustment of attachments in pre-determined positions including forks
- Recommended mount and dismount
- Introduction to motive, steering controls and practice
- Basic steering exercises – simple courses
- Advanced steering exercises – figure of 8/chicane/90° approaches
- Battery charging procedures/maintenance
- Operator safety code and relevant handout
- Daily pre-use inspections
- Engineering principles/rated capacity/stability
- Simple hydraulics (theory)
- Introduction to hydraulic controls, handling empty pallets low level
- Load types/handling and weight assessment
- Manoeuvring with loads/ramps and inclines/handling awkward loads*
- Relevant safety film
- Vehicle loading and unloading (theory)*
- Vehicle loading and unloading (practical)*
- Multi choice theory test
- Pre-use inspection test
- Practical skills test