Accrediting body AITT is warning employers that they may be putting the wellbeing of their employees and their businesses at risk as they wrestle with staff shortages.

“Because of the pressures facing managers, there’s the danger that employees are being required to work with equipment – such as pallet trucks – for which they aren’t adequately trained,” explains AITT managing director Liam Knight.

“It’s particularly topical right now because of the vast numbers of hand and powered pallet trucks in use across every sector and the alarming number of accidents in which they are involved.”

According to HSE-reported injury statistics, on average, over 4,500 injuries involving hand trucks, pallet trucks and similar handling aids are reported every year, with operators suffering bruised and fractured lower limbs and musculoskeletal injuries.

There are concerns that this number may rise even higher as untrained staff are asked to fill in for experienced colleagues who are temporarily unavailable or have left the company.

“The problem is aggravated by the widespread misconception that training is not required for pallet trucks,” says Liam Knight. “But that simply isn’t the case. Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) makes clear that employers must provide adequate and appropriate training for all persons who use work equipment. This includes training in how the equipment should be used, the risks involved and the precautions that should be taken.

“All types of hand-controlled pallet trucks fall into this category, from simple manual pump trucks through to electric counterbalance stackers. The degree of training required, and the time it will take, varies according to the type of equipment and the tasks to be performed.

“For the most basic equipment, it may be possible to conduct the training in-house, but it must be properly organised and formally recorded. If you are in any doubt, my advice would be to seek professional advice.

“For powered equipment such as power pallet trucks, I would recommend that training be carried out by a fully qualified and accredited trainer,” Knight adds.