A forklift truck is used in a range of workplaces, as an essential piece of equipment that can move heavy loads around. However, in order to operate a forklift, it is important that you are aware of the law as well as forklift safety, training requirements and how to maintain the forklift correctly.
Firstly, the minimum age that is allowed to drive a forklift truck is 16 years old. However, because of insurance and other health and safety requirements, in many workplaces the lowest age that can operate a forklift is 18.
As well as being over the minimum age, you must also be in good health. Like driving a car or any other vehicle, you need to be fit to operate it safely, so conditions like epilepsy, hearing impairments or blindness can mean that you are not allowed to operate a forklift.
Forklift truck training like this globalflt.com/services/rtitb/fork-lift-truck-training is also required to be able to make sure that you can operate a forklift correctly. Training courses will cover all the things that you need to know so that you can then safely use a forklift truck, however it is also a good idea for refresher training to be given every so often.
Employers also should make sure that as well as being trained to a high standard, that a safety assessment for the particular location that staff are working in has been done and safety guidelines and regulations have been communicated to staff.
