Do we really need to train our staff?

Unfortunately this is a question that many companies still ask but as an employer, you have an obligation under Health & Safety regulations to ensure that all operators and their supervisors who use work equipment are trained to approved standards.

Many companies also fail to realise that business owners and company directors can now be held liable for the new offence of corporate manslaughter if their management practices cause a person's death. In addition to potentially unlimited fines, a further punishment will include publicity orders to expose a firm's alleged wrongdoings. It is said that there is no such thing as bad publicity but can your company afford to take that chance?
Full text of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007(opens in new window)

It is estimated by the HSE that 10% of all of the incidents that they investigate each year that involve lift trucks have a lack of operator training as their main cause. Unfortunately even the most diligent of companies can never eliminate all risks but good quality training goes a very long way to reducing them.

Why do we need refresher training?

This is another question that we are asked and the answer is quite simple, no matter how good we are at anything over time our skills can become rusty if not used very often or sloppy if used regularly, refresher training serves to re-focus attention onto safe practices as well as bringing us up to date with current legislation. As well as this the need for periodic re-assessment of fork lift operators to ensure safety of operation is clearly established by the HSC Code of Practice (L117 para 47) and the guidance provided by PUWER 98 regulation 9 (L22 para. 188).

The AITT has also said 'It is our view that employers should continuously monitor the performance of their operators to ascertain whether they might need refresher training (typical indicators are regular near misses, accidents or consistently unsafe working practices).

East Midland Training will help you to meet your legal obligations and if required can provide you with regular updates of staff who, according to our records, are due for refresher training.