Confirm your operator’s credentials

Stuart Taylor -
Safety First
- 10 Nov 2016 ( #795 )
3 min read
Stuart Taylor
Stuart Taylor
Stuart Taylor is Managing Director of Mentor FLT Training Limited, the UK's leading provider of training and associated services for all types of materials handling equipment and workplace transport.
A recent case has highlighted the vital need for employers to thoroughly check and assess new employees' forklift training and skills before they get behind the wheel of a truck, according to Stuart Taylor .

In July, courts heard how a UK warehouse owner took on two men who claimed to be experienced with forklifts. Sadly, it wasn't until a fatal accident that it became clear neither had sufficient training or qualifications in that area.

Serious financial penalties
The company faced a GBP250,000 fine (plus court costs) - a cost that would decimate it, according to the owner. In court, he said that he monitored operations, but he did not assess their competence to operate forklifts when they were employed and was not qualified to perform their assessments.

Understanding what the law requires of you, as an employer, is essential. When you employ a new forklift operator, you are responsible for making sure that your new recruit has all the skills and training necessary to safely operate forklifts.

Under UK law, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) states: "Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training."

If your new member of staff is involved in an accident, you, as the employer, can be held responsible, so it's crucial - for you as an individual and for your business - that you check their credentials.

So how can you know your employee's skills for sure, and how can you protect your business if something does go wrong?

1. Request copies of training documentation
Although UK law doesn't require you to physically check each employee's documentation, it is good practice to request copies of all training certificates, review them and then keep them on file. This allows you to determine whether the training they've received to date is adequate for the tasks required of them.

Bear in mind that not all training certificates have holograms or watermarks. If you are in any doubt whether a certificate is genuine, you should forward it to the training provider or awarding body to confirm authenticity.

2. Check accreditation
We advise that if a UK training certificate is awarded by one of the four main accrediting bodies (AITT, RTITB, NPORS and ITSSAR), you can be confident that training has been delivered to a high set of standards that are in line with all relevant and current legislation.

These four organisations are members of the Accrediting Bodies Association (ABA). Each holds a database of all operator training delivered under that accreditation, so, as an employer, you can simply contact them to confirm completed training.

But what if a certificate is provided that has not been awarded by one of the four accrediting bodies? Every training certificate should be measured against ABA standards, including those issued outside the UK, as this will establish whether it meets the standards required by L117, the UK industry's Approved Code of Practice.

3. Assess skills
Regardless of whether a driver has received training to ABA standards or not, their skills and competence must be assessed before they can be authorised to freely operate forklift trucks on site.

This crucial step is key to safeguarding your workforce and your business. It allows you to identify any skill gaps before they impact on your operations. And if you have any doubts at all about the forklift operator's experience, then providing training is always the safest course of action.
Also Read:
A fork(lift) in the road: why the future of “machine vision” is multi-sensory
Murray Cox
2 minute read
A fork(lift) in the road: why the future of “machine vision” is multi-sensory Your Focus - 9 Oct 2025 (#1251) Murray Cox is principal engineer at Speedshield Technologies, where he seamlessly connects cutting-edge research with real-world industrial mobile equipment and applications. Here he looks at why the future of machine vision is multi-sensory.
Enhancing industrial safety: the power of context-aware mobile technology
Tejal Ranjan
2 minute read
Enhancing industrial safety: the power of context-aware mobile technology Your Focus - 18 Sep 2025 (#1248) Tejal Ranjan is the vice president of global marketing at JLT Mobile Computers, a leading provider of rugged computing solutions for demanding industrial environments. Here she looks at screen blanking technology.
When warehouses go dark: protecting connected material handling operations from cyber threats
Ellie Gabel
3 minute read
When warehouses go dark: protecting connected material handling operations from cyber threats Your Focus - 11 Sep 2025 (#1247) Ellie Gabel, a North Carolina-based freelance writer, looks at how to protect your business from cyber security threats which come with connected and smart materials handling equipment company.
For more unique stories and expert insights: read our industry blogs
Blog articles provide perspectives and opinions and therefore may contain inaccurate or incomplete information. Forkliftaction Media accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. If you feel that significant facts are overlooked, or have a different viewpoint on a topic addressed, we invite you to open a conversation in our Discussion Forums.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , we report on the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index which shows Asian supply chains are at their busiest since June 2022 while the US and Europe’s supply chains remain under-utilised. One of the report authors describes the situation as being “as stable as it’s going to get”... Continue reading
Upcoming industry events …
November 11, 2025 - Sydney, Australia
November 26-27, 2025 - Budapest, Hungary
May 20-22, 2026 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , we report on the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index which shows Asian supply chains are at their busiest since June 2022 while the US and Europe’s supply chains remain under-utilised. One of the report authors describes the situation as being “as stable as it’s going to get”... Continue reading
Editorial calendar - planned features
CONSTRUCTION FORKLIFTS
HANDLING GOODS IN THE COLD
LOADING/UNLOADING FREIGHT
BROWNFIELD AUTOMATION
FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
BATTERY AFFORDABILITY AND LIFETIME
FORKLIFT SAFETY
Upcoming industry events …
November 11, 2025 - Sydney, Australia
November 26-27, 2025 - Budapest, Hungary
May 20-22, 2026 - Jakarta, Indonesia
Inside The News
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , we report on the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index which shows Asian supply chains are at their busiest since June 2022 while the US and Europe’s supply chains remain under-utilised. One of the report authors describes the situation as being “as stable as it’s going to get”... Continue reading