RTITB: The pressure to meet tight deadlines may lead an unsupervised operator to neglect safety protocols.

RTITB is advising businesses to ensure forklift operation supervisors have up- to-date training, revealing that many supervisors are unaware of their accountability.

"Whilst there is a certain amount of responsibility placed on the forklift operator, it is up to management to oversee the operation," says RTITB operations director Laura Nelson. "This helps to avoid accidents in the workplace and also prevents potential damage to valuable stock or equipment."

According to RTITB, even experienced, fully trained forklift operators should be routinely supervised and monitored when operating machinery to ensure that they are abiding by safety protocols.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) state that the employer must ensure all people who use, supervise or manage the use of work equipment have received adequate training. They must have enough training and knowledge to recognise safe and unsafe practices and understand the risks involved and how to avoid or prevent them.

The pressure to meet tight deadlines may lead an unsupervised operator to neglect safety protocols, resulting in mistakes or accidents occurring. This can be avoided if not only the operators, but the supervisors and managers, are completely up-to-date with their training.

"Another challenge is that many supervisors have never been drivers themselves," Nelson says. "A high level of concentration is required to operate efficiently, accurately and safely and, as supervisors are not required to undergo operator training, they may not always be able to identify good or bad practice."

Supervisors who attend training courses are trained in how to properly communicate with their team members in order to maintain a flow of information about safety to operators and management. Courses can also cover topics like statutory responsibilities, management of health and safety, PUWER, LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations), the design and limitations of equipment and associated equipment (including attachments) used and the maintenance and inspection of equipment.

RTITB (formerly the Road Transport Industry Training Board) is a UK training provider for the transport, warehousing and logistics industries.