Haulage firm fined after forklift operator died

Retain forklift operators with

non-transferable certificates

To tackle this, some companies are choosing to run their own in-house forklift operator training. This does not have national recognition or the backing of an independent accrediting body and is therefore unlikely to be recognised by a competitor that is looking to recruit lift truck operators.

However, there is a better alternative! 

As an RTITB Accredited Partner, we do not have to offer national, transferable certificates.  We have the option to provide non-transferable RTITB certificates. These forklift operator certificates can be limited, for example, for use only with a specific company or site.

This approach can offer a wide range of benefits.

Validation and Compliance

One big advantage of non-transferable training certificates lies in the assurance of compliance. These lift truck operator training certificates come with independent quality assurance through RTITB Accreditation. This shows that the training, examination, and records adhere to specific standards. And most importantly, that the training delivered has complied with relevant guidance, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ACoP L117 (Approved Code of Practice for Rider-operated lift trucks).

This external validation gives peace of mind, especially if a lift truck incident occurs.

Companies issuing RTITB accredited certificates can be confident that their workforce has the necessary skills and knowledge, as well as meet industry standards. It also standardises the quality of training across the whole company whilst showing that your company is committed to maintaining high standards.

To find out more about why choosing accredited training is the best approach, please click here.

Retain operators and attract talent

Non-transferable certificates can play a pivotal role in retaining skilled forklift operators. Not only because employees cannot take their operator certificate elsewhere, but also because employees are more likely to stay with a company that invests in their professional growth. Showing an employee that you have invested in a recognised, independent qualification often holds more weight than an internal training program.

Likewise, offering RTITB accredited training can be a powerful tool for attracting talent. Potential hires will be drawn to employers who can show they prioritise quality training and that they are willing to invest in this for their team.

Keeping control

Maintaining control is crucial for employers to safeguard their training investments. With non-transferable certificates, lift truck operators cannot request their certificates without explicit employer permission. This prevents any unauthorised use to gain employment elsewhere. Operators who receive non-transferable certificates are also not listed for public search on RTITB’s national operator register website.

So talk to us today about non-transferable certificates and see how we can help you retain your talent and investment.

Transportation and Storage industry

still a dangerous place to work

The data showed that whilst health and social work is the industry workers are most likely to become injured in, with around 10,834 incidents of worker injuries within the last year of recorded data, unfortunately Transportation and Storage came in third, with 8,059 cases of non-fatal injuries reported, with a huge rate of 171 per 100,000 employees injured at work.

The main cause of these injuries is still carrying heavy items, emphasising the importance of proper health and safety training for lifting.

What can workplaces do to reduce injury risk?

There are many measures employers can put in place, firstly it is important to be up to date with recommended guidance within your specific industry. Do you offer workers the correct tools and PPE to maximise worker safety and review your health and safety protocols on a regular basis and make sure you are adhering to the latest guidance?

We offer Health and Safety and Manual handling training – for more information please click here

For workers using machinery there must be proper training put in place beforehand to ensure they know how to operate specialist machinery. With 32,000 reported injuries caused by contact with moving machinery, we still have a long way to go to improve operational safety, including safely operating forklifts trucks.

Make sure your operators are trained correctly, with an accredited RTITB training course. For the range we offer, please click here

Ensure you provide up to date health and safety documentation within your workplace which is easily accessible for your employees. Proper safeguarding processes should also be in place to manage any risk to your workers health. If incidents do occur, you should have a clear process for reporting and documenting these.

Hopefully the insights gleaned from this research can be used to help train people correctly and help protect the health and wellbeing of those around us.

Company fined after worker spotted on pallet raised by forklift truck

One of the workers was then witnessed climbing from the side of the vessel, beneath the guard rails, and onto the pallet with a heavy, motorised pressure washer. The pressure washer was then lowered to the ground.

The HSE investigation found EAP Limited had failed to plan the work at height associated with the refurbishments and repair work being completed on the boat, leaving workers at risk, with no safe method for removing equipment located on the vessel’s deck.

European Active Projects Limited, of Chatham Docks, Gillingham Gate, Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £5,730.40 in costs at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 20 December 2023.

HSE inspector Samuel Brown said: “This incident demonstrates why there is a need to appropriately plan and supervise work at height. Clearly, lessons had not been learnt since the company’s previous prosecution in 2015.  Falls from height are still the biggest cause of fatal accidents involving workers.  The risk of workers falling from the pallet and sustaining serious, possibly fatal, injuries should not be ignored. Fortunately, no workers were harmed and the reporting of the incident by a concerned member of public enabled HSE to intervene and prevent any further unsafe work at height on site.”

We also think this is a perfect example of poor operator training. The operator of the truck should not have allowed a person to use the truck as a makeshift lift and under no circumstances should a forklift be used to carry a person – to any height.

Make sure your operators are trained correctly, with an accredited RTITB training course. For the range we offer, please click here