Britains biggest killer?
August 1st 2004

Not quite... but sadly deaths caused by workplace transport accidents rank No. 2 in the HSE league tables, killing and injuring thousands every year... The importance of fork truck driver training becomes clear when you realise that the vast majority of these accidents typically vehicle strikes, overturns, falling people and falling objects are preventable and could have been avoided by employers paying more attention to effective, efficient and safe workplace transport training. As the HSE pledges to increase inspections and take a tough line on companies who have failed to exercise reasonable care in training forklift operators, employers are also waking up to the financial implications of accidents and prosecutions. Only last month, a record breaking fine of over 500,000 was imposed following a fatal forklift accident under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. However, the fine itself can be only the tip of the iceberg, with employers often liable for the additional costs of legal fees, compensation to victims through civil litigation, the management time taken in dealing with the case and the adverse publicity and resulting damaged reputation. Until the publication of the first Approved Code of Practice and Guidance Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training (ACoP) by the HSC in 1988, there was little guidance as to the type and length of training that a forklift truck operator should undertake. With most previous training perfunctory and conducted, if at all, by the FLT manufacturers, the 1988 publication set minimum standards and a recognised method of training. An updated issue was published in 1999. Accrediting bodies Each company must evaluate their specific needs and choose a training system in accordance with one of the five bodies recognised by the HSC/HSE as accrediting bodies for operator training on Rider-operated lift trucks. These are the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT), the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the Lantra National Training Organisation Ltd, the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme Ltd (NPORS) and the RTITB (formerly the Road Transport Industry Training Board). Of the above, CITB and NPORS are involved primarily in training for the construction industry, Lantra is primarily agricultural applications, RTITB are involved in road transport and forklift trucks and only AITT are interested solely in forklift training. Although the accrediting bodies operate independently and have different course syllabi, they do have a common testing policy so a bona fide qualification from one of the accrediting bodies is typically recognised by the others. With this in mind, employers can then look at in-house vs. external training alternatives. So how do companies choose the best way to train their fork truck drivers? Although the largest supply chain operations can employ an in-house trainer when training a large number of staff regularly at one site, an increasing number of companies are looking to outsource their staff training responsibilities to a registered external training company. By doing this, the employer is firmly in the driving seat, as he can work with the training company to agree the requirements of his business, check that the training provider is offering properly accredited training and then weigh up cost, service, quality etc., as he does with all of his business overheads and everything that his company buys. If you think that an external company would best suit your business, consider the following when selecting a training company: 1. Are they accredited by one of the HSE recognised bodies? 2. Is the accreditation current? 3. Is the course being offered a recognised and accredited one? 4. When can the training take place (availability)? 5. Who else uses this training company can references be obtained? 6. What is the course material being used? 7. What is the rate and is it inclusive or are there extra charges for travelling, accommodation, certification, badges etc? 8. How long has the company been in business (to ensure consistency of record keeping and training going forward)? Highest training standards At Mentor, we believe that delivering the highest standards of workplace transport training enables all types and sizes of companies to operate smarter and safer. Established over 16 years ago and now the largest training operator in the UK, our team of over 100 training professionals and support staff provide 24/7 nationwide coverage. As a result, we have already trained 100,000 operators in 3000 companies of all sizes, and enjoy long standing relationships with a number of blue chip customers. Trainees benefit from courses that teach them to assess and manage site, vehicle and driver safety issues and are offered fully accredited courses on virtually all types of FLT and other workplace transport. Location isnt typically a problem eitherMentor provides nationwide coverage all at the same competitive daily rate (with no surcharges) and ensures peace of mind by overseeing the full management responsibility for maintaining records. For further information about Mentor, contact Richard Shore, MD of Mentor.

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