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To ensure companies stay compliant with current health and safety standards, when forklift trucks are employed on-site, operators must be proficiently trained before using them. Warehouses, factories, and other firms in the material handling industry will often seek out a forklift licence course for their operators. However, there is technically no such document as a forklift operator licence. This term typically refers to an individual having completed a forklift course and received their certification.
By law, every employer is responsible under Regulation 9 in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998 to ensure that staff have sufficient training before using work equipment. By undertaking a training course, employees can prove that they are qualified to operate a forklift safely.
Training courses are typically divided into three types. Novice courses are for absolute beginners, while experienced courses are designed for those looking to broaden their skills and knowledge. The third type, of course, is called a refresher. To ensure training abilities meet modern standards and legislation, forklift courses should be retaken every three years.
It is worth noting that not all forklift truck training courses may offer the same standard of quality. Forklift courses taught by training centres with ITSSAR accreditation are the best choice to ensure the most up-to-date and highest standard of training is delivered.
What is ITSSAR?
ITSSAR (Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register) is an accrediting body, developed specifically for workplace transport, like forklifts, counterbalances, and powered pallet trucks. Established back in 1991, ITSSAR monitors and drafts training standards for Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) to promote the highest possible quality of training standards in the workplace. The ITSSAR’ accreditation scheme is designed to improve the standards of safety and training in MHE operation.
What are the health and safety benefits of using an ITSSAR accredited training centre?
An approved ITSSAR instructor can be counted on to help organisations reduce workplace transport incidents and accidents while improving onsite safety through training.
While the controls of a forklift truck may seem simple to understand, in the hands of an inexperienced operator, this equipment can be exceptionally dangerous.
When forklift operators have not trained adequately, the risk of accidents occurring on-site can increase rapidly. When an incident takes place and another staff member is injured, an inspection from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is likely. Among the first questions asked will be what level of training did the equipment operator hold and how long ago did they last update their knowledge?
If an organisation has invested wisely in ITSSAR instructor training for its operators, it can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing it has acted in line with current legislation. However, if the enterprise has opted for inferior training for its operators, it could face heavy financial penalties.
How can ITSSAR training improve productivity?
While being able to operate a forklift proficiently can reduce the chance of accidents on-site, it can have other advantages too. Part of a forklift training course involves teaching operators the most efficient way to use the equipment. This can help streamline the way they work and enhance workflow. With improved skills, operators are also able to work safely at greater speed, increasing their productivity.
Approved ITSSAR training ensures that operators use the equipment for the work it was designed for. Using forklifts correctly can have an economic advantage for firms. Equipment handled by professional operators will always require less maintenance and have increased service life. This ensures businesses get a solid return when investing in a fleet of fork trucks for their operation.
ITSSAR categories of accreditation
ITSSAR offers several different categories of accreditation to suit the different needs of enterprises. These are divided into the following classes. Category 1 is for registered instructors, while category 2 covers operating training for organisations. Category combines the first two classes providing both instructor and operator training for organisations. Category 4 covers registered tutors and category 8 is for managers and supervisors.
ITSSAR approved training for your forklift operators
Pendle Forklift Services is proud to offer expert forklift training either on-site or at our dedicated training centre located in Earby, Lancashire.
We offer a wide range of forklift training courses allowing operators to gain ITSSAR accreditation for counterbalances, reaches, pedestrian stackers, pedestrian counterbalance stackers, pedestrian straddle stackers, order pickers and Bendi articulated forklifts.
We also provide a half-day course on manual handling. The forklift training courses we deliver can vary in length depending on operator experience but typically take one to five days to complete.
The courses we provide are independently ITSSAR approved and meet the highest standards of excellence for forklift training.
If the forklift training course you currently seek is not listed, get in touch now and we will do our best to provide it for your operators.