© 2010 FLTA

Fork Lift Truck SafetyManage to be safe

The Role of the Supervisor

© 2010 FLTA

The Law

A legal obligation to provide adequate training is contained in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

More specific detail is contained in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98).

Regulation 9 of PUWER 98 states:

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The Law

Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.

© 2010 FLTA

The LawA well known company was ordered to pay out £800,000 in fines and costs after a woman was crushed to death by a reversing forklift truck while shopping at one of its branches.

The company was convicted of five counts of breaching health and safety law after a 68 year old woman was struck by the lift truck.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that the company had failed to ensure that the control of forklift movements at the site complied with it’s own safety guidelines. In particular, the court was told that CCTV evidence revealed that lift trucks were being operated at the site without banksmen to guide them.

(This is an actual case. Details held by FLTA.)

A clear case of lack of supervision!

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The Problem

A significant number of workers are killed and injured by fork lift trucks every year.

Millions of pounds worth of property and goods are damaged by fork lift trucks every year.

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The Problem

HSE have indicated in a recent study that a significant number of accidents could have been avoided if fork lift truck operations had been better supervised.

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A Possible Solution

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© 2010 FLTA

Who is a supervisor?

A shift or line manager. Task foreman. Loading bay supervisor. In house lift truck trainer. Operations manager. Health and safety manager. MANAGING DIRECTOR.

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Who is a supervisor?

In this context –Anyone in a position of authority who sees something that looks as though it could cause an accident!

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To supervise FLT operations -

You may need some training.

You may need to do some reading.

You will need common sense… and

You will definitely need the will to do something when you see something wrong.

You don’t need to be able to operate a fork lift truck but…

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Supervision includes

Making sure that operators have training appropriate for the equipment to be used.

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Supervision includes

Making sure that operators are regularly monitored and assessed – and additional training is provided where it is needed.

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Aids such as Virtual Risk Manager – FLT can help with assessment.

More details are at:www.fork-truck.org.uk

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Supervision includes

Making sure that operators carry out their pre shift or daily checks – properly.

This may mean finding out what has to be checked.

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Supervision includes

Making sure that all fork lift trucks are maintained on a regular basis by a trained and experienced service engineer.

There is much more to this service than there is on your car!

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Supervision includes

Making sure that all fork lift trucks have a valid Thorough Examination.

This is like the MOT test for your car, but starts when the FLT is a year old.

It may be needed every 12, 6 or 3 months. Check!

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As a supervisor

Don’t turn a blind eye to any of the following:

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© 2010 FLTA

Excessive speed at any time. Cornering too quickly. Failure to stop at junctions – including aisle ends etc.

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© 2010 FLTA

Failure to go through doors slowly – especially curtain doors.

Failure to sound the horn where required.

Travelling with the forks raised – they should be just clear of the ground (100mm or so).

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© 2010 FLTA

Carrying passengers – never allowed. Not using a seat belt – company rules may include

areas where belts are not required. Travelling with arms or legs outside the profile

of the truck.

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© 2010 FLTA

Operators using mobile phones. Pedestrians using mobile phones. Failure of anyone to react to signs or comply with

segregation rules.

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© 2010 FLTA

Lifting people on forks, pallets or other unstable platforms. There are rules for using cages!

Unauthorised use – only trained operators to use. Failure to report near misses – factors that nearly

caused an accident.

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© 2010 FLTA

Refuelling risks: Smoking Build up of fumes

If you are not sure - find out. Risks are a bit different for diesel, LPG and electric trucks.

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© 2010 FLTA

Untidyness Keep working areas clean and clear of debris. Have spills and leaks cleaned up immediately. Don’t allow signs to become obscured.

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© 2010 FLTA

Detailed Advice

Rules and regulations are contained in 2 key documents:

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98)

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98)

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Detailed Advice

PUWER 98 & LOLER 98

These are quite difficult to read and don’t just apply to fork lift trucks.

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Easier Advice

Rider-operated Lift Trucks: Operator Training- L117

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Easiest Advice

A range of easy to read booklets produced by the Fork Lift Truck Association.

© 2010 FLTA

Easiest Advice

A range of easy to read booklets produced by the Fork Lift Truck Association.

Each booklet has advice for operators and managers.

© 2010 FLTA

Easiest Advice

A range of easy to read booklets produced by the Fork Lift Truck Association.

Each booklet has advice for operators and managers.

This booklet has advice for everyone!

© 2010 FLTA

Whatever else you do

Look after the safety of all employees.

Look after the safety of your premises.

Look after the safety of your goods.

© 2010 FLTA

Further Advice

If having seen this presentation you want more help or advice then you may need to arrange a short training course. Ask your usual training provider if they can help.

Alternatively your truck provider or maintenance company may be able to assist.

In addition you may consider joining the FLTA SAFE USER GROUP. Details are on our website at www.fork-truck.org.uk

© 2010 FLTA

Don’t let this be the end