@ ewan...if this is regulation or requirement that you must follow, and is in writing. by all means stick to your training requirements. Show where it is in writing that these procedures must be followed....but remember...you as an trainer must train to the best of your ability, your instincts and your written rules and regulations........and keep working hard.
You must train per the requirements and regulations, you cannot go out there and babysit people, but as long as you are doing the training as required by rules and regulations you are doing the right thing.
Here in America, unless I have missed something over the years, we are not required to put our lift trucks into nuetral and apply the hand brakes before using the hydraulics, I am so sure that we would also catch all kinds of flack from supervisors on this matter.....good luck and fight the hard fight... :)