forklift law

iain_herts · 11-03-2005, 18:40

hi all i need some advice as we have a counterbalnce forklift at work. wot i need to know is that do u need a licence to use one and wot age and the law on useing it on the road. the reason y im asking is that im only 20 and i use the forklift on the road outside work have no licence to load and unload and im not the only 1 no1 has a licence. thanks for any help.

iain

Paul · 11-03-2005, 18:42

You need a license specific to that type of truck and unless it's taxed to go out on the road it's not allowed on a public road as far as I'm aware.
Breach either of these and your company and you are breaking the law

iain_herts · 11-03-2005, 18:44

thats wot i thought just need to find something now so i can refuse to use the forks out side now

dilligaf1701 · 11-03-2005, 18:44

Yes you need a license to drive a forklift. Which has a 16yr old minimum as far as I know.

Forklifts are generally now allowed on the road unless they are designed for it. They should (in theory) have full road tax etc if they are used on the road.

Edit - Unless you have it in writing that you have been TOLD to drive the truck by your company I wouldn't do it as YOU could be held liable for any accidents.

iain_herts · 11-03-2005, 18:58

if any1 can find a site that has the law on it would be good as im gonna ask for a meeting tuesday with the directors. our truck is over 20 yrs old and for the last 7 months we have be bugging them to get the brakes on it done and last month the finaly got some1 in to sirvice the forks

scrotnig · 11-03-2005, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by iain_herts

if any1 can find a site that has the law on it would be good as im gonna ask for a meeting tuesday with the directors. our truck is over 20 yrs old and for the last 7 months we have be bugging them to get the brakes on it done and last month the finaly got some1 in to sirvice the forks

Always seems something slightly strange when you're driving a vehicle that's older than you are....

iain_herts · 11-03-2005, 19:02

yeah it does there very tight they dont like spending money lol

Ramrod · 11-03-2005, 19:05

It's simple enough for your company to get you trained it's a 2 day course (at least it used to be) and the trainer can come to the premises and train you on site.
Be very careful around forks........otherwise you might need these people

iain_herts · 11-03-2005, 19:10

yeah it is a 2day course cos they did look into it last year but never did anything about it. they are very tight wen it comes to spending

paulyoung666 · 11-03-2005, 19:15

a quiet & discreet word with the hse might well be in order , all of the above stands as far as i am concerned , if there was an accident then you would i am afraid find yourself in the dock along with your company

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

It's simple enough for your company to get you trained it's a 2 day course (at least it used to be) and the trainer can come to the premises and train you on site.
Be very careful around forks........otherwise you might need these people

links borked my mate

MetaWraith · 11-03-2005, 19:16

Try the Health and Safety Executive site
http://www.hse.gov.uk/

You may also find the following useful
http://www.ttt-services.co.uk/shift_test.htm
http://www.ttt-services.co.uk/h_s_p4.htm

Make sure you get trained and accredited to RTITB standards

dilligaf1701 · 11-03-2005, 19:24

Initially I had to do my counter balance test over 5 days. Then after that a 3 day addon for reach truck and another day course for VNA.

I can't emphasize how much crap you could get in if you drive a truck that's dodgy (breaks etc) or driving one without a license.

Especially as it sounds like your company don't give a smeg. So if there is an accident it sounds like they'll just deny telling you to drive it.

11-03-2005, 19:26

a brief search has come up with a few things

To operate a fork lift on the public highway the operator must have a full state driving licence. (and it is you that will be prosecuted, not the company) Also the truck must be road legal - lights, number plates, etc (it's classed as an agricultural vehicle afaik)

Fork Trucks have to have a certificate of 'Total Inspection' - effectively an MOT certificate, doesn't sound like yours has ....it would cost your firm a packet in compensation if anyone had an accident using your truck in the state it's in.

Employers have responsibility for ensuring their employees are trained & competent in the use of machinery used to perform their job.

- I couldn't find any specific info on whether a company needs to issue a formal document to confirm what training has occurred, but both the fork truck jobs I had issued a 'licence' detailing exactly what i was allowed to drive. For example I wasn't allowed to drive a reach truck on a counterbalance licence.

paulyoung666 · 11-03-2005, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

Initially I had to do my counter balance test over 5 days. Then after that a 3 day addon for reach truck and another day course for VNA.

I can't emphasize how much crap you could get in if you drive a truck that's dodgy (breaks etc) or driving one without a license.

Especially as it sounds like your company don't give a smeg. So if there is an accident it sounds like they'll just deny telling you to drive it.

i fear the same , it is the same as if you borrow someones car and get done for dodgy brakes or tyres etc , it is the operators responsibility to make sure that the machine is roadworthy

Ramrod · 11-03-2005, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

links borked my mate

strange........works for me

@iain_herts..........your company appears to be flouting lots of laws......have they even done a 'risk assesment'?.......this needs to encompass all areas of the building and be written down--to show that they have thought about risks in the workplace