Lift truck operators must have documented knowledge

All lift truck operators must have documented theoretical and practical knowledge in order to operate a lift truck safely. The level of required knowledge may vary between different operations depending on the type of lift truck, work tasks and other conditions.

As an employer, you must assess the risks associated with lift truck use to determine what knowledge and skills lift truck operators need to have in your particular business.

Start with the basics

An appropriate basic training for all lift truck operators is a training programme that follows the Lift Truck Curriculum 10 (TLP 10) on guidelines for lift truck operators' knowledge and skills. The guidelines have been developed in collaboration between the social partners and industry organisations.

The basic training includes both theoretical overviews and practical exercises. Course participants gain knowledge about lift truck operation, lift truck technology, safety regulations, material handling and ergonomically correct working methods. After successfully completing the training, the lift truck instructor usually issues a training certificate (lift truck card). In some industries, agreements have been signed that require lift truck operators to have training according to TLP 10.

Information about lift truck training, recommended certificates, etc., is available from the various training providers. You can easily find providers offering training according to TLP 10 on the internet. Choose a trainer who offers sufficiently good training based on your needs. Therefore, you might want to compare the training content and training hours of the various trainers with the guidelines in TLP 10, which you can find on Prevent's website.

Guidelines for lift truck driver skills, Prevent's website

Repeat and continue training for safe lift truck operation

As an employer, you must ensure that lift truck operators have the correct knowledge at all times. Repetition and further training of lift truck operators may therefore need to be included in the company's work environment management. For example, a further training course may be necessary when major changes occur in the work, such as the introduction of new equipment or new working methods.

To keep knowledge alive, it needs to be refreshed from time to time. A suitable method may be to conduct refresher courses at regular intervals. Base this on your assessment of the risks in the workplace.

Refresher and further training courses are an effective way to share new developments while also providing the opportunity to influence attitudes about safety, risks and willingness to follow established rules.

Supervisory staff must also have knowledge

Those who manage and supervise lift truck operations need the right authority and resources. They must have the knowledge and skills required to ensure that work with lift trucks is carried out safely.

They need to have a good knowledge of

• the risks that exist in the operation
• the rules concerning lift truck operation
• measures to prevent accidents and ill health
• how to achieve a satisfactory work environment with lift trucks.

Many training providers offer so-called responsibility training courses that are specifically aimed at those who manage and supervise lift truck operations.

Lift truck operators must have written permits

All lift truck operators must have written permits to operate a lift truck. As the employer, you are responsible for issuing the permit. You are also responsible for issuing permits to temporary agency workers who operate lift trucks within your organisation.

The permit must not be confused with the training certificate, which is proof of completed training. The permit shows that a lift truck operator has authorisation from you as an employer to operate a lift truck at the workplace, and states under what conditions this applies.

At a shared workplace, all contractors, such as lorry drivers and service personnel, must have written permits from their own employers when using lift trucks. If you are the coordinator, you must have procedures in place to verify that they have permits from their respective employers that apply to the type of lift truck they are operating and the tasks they are to perform.

What must the written permit contain?

The permit must

• be personal
• show the types of lift trucks to which it applies (you can use the names of lift trucks found in the lift truck curriculum TLP 10)
• show which work tasks it applies to.

The permit may, for example, indicate

• what types of goods the operator may handle
• in which premises or areas the operator may use lift trucks
• what interchangeable equipment the operator may use
• whether the operator is allowed to operate a lift truck with a work platform for temporary lifting of personnel
• whether the operator is allowed to drive on public roads.

Assess the risks and specify the work tasks

Start with the risk assessment of the work tasks and specify them as clearly as necessary. If the risk assessment shows that certain tasks require specific knowledge, those tasks should be included in the permit.

Clear and well-considered permits allow you as an employer to have a good overview of your lift truck operations. You can ensure that it is conducted safely, and you can receive support in identifying knowledge needs and planning for staff turnover.

Sanction fee if operators do not have a permit

If you allow your employees or hired lift truck drivers to use lift trucks without written permits, you may have to pay a sanction fee. It can cost between SEK 15,000 and 150,000 depending on how many people work in the company.

Sanction fees