Ironically, the sheer volume of safety-related legislation and paperwork that a manager is expected to digest can be – in itself – a major obstacle to improving safety and complying with the law. To help employers cut through the non-relevant literature and find the information that they need most, the Fork Lift Truck Association offers the following advice.
Start with the basics
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in its Route Map for the Safe Operation of Workplace Transport, recognises four essential elements of fork lift safety: safe managers, safe operators, safe sites and safe trucks. Specific advice on each of these areas can be found on the HSE website: www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport.
A free download of the Fork Lift Truck Association Safety 4MOST pack, which sets out the basics of fork lift safety within the same four areas, is available from the FLTA website www.fork-truck.org.uk.
Know the law
Much of the safety legislation relating to fork lifts is contained in the PUWER 98 and LOLER 98 regulations.
Guidance can be found in the list of HSE publications presented here. The easiest and cheapest guide to read is HSG6. For crucial information on training, truck users should consult L117.
The legal responsibilities of truck users in relation to Thorough Examination are explained on the website www.thoroughexamination.org.
The following publications can be ordered via the HSE’s website – www.hse.gov.uk – or by calling 01787 881165. Most are also available through the FLTA website.
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