HEALTH & SAFETY PALLET AND STACKER TRUCK TESTING HAS CHANGED
R
TITB recently welcomed the introduction of the first industry-standard operating skills test for pedestrian operated lift trucks, such as pallet and stacker trucks. Laura Nelson, managing director for RTITB, explains what has changed, and why this can help you to boost safety. The introduction of a new standardised test for pedestrian operated trucks in early 2020 may not at first seem like a big deal. However, this change will apply to all operators on training courses for low level pedestrian operated pallet trucks, pallet stackers, stacking counterbalance trucks, stacking reach trucks and more.
These types of truck are at work in countless warehouse and logistics operations up and down the country - the chances are that you’ll have at least one relevant truck on your site. The scale of that alone makes this a very notable development in our industry.
Every single piece of materials handling equipment comes with the potential for risk, especially if it is not operated by a correctly trained individual. Without a standardised test, there has been no universal agreement on “what good looks like” for pedestrian pallet and stacker truck operation, so there has also been no way to check if those operating this equipment have been trained to a suitable standard.
WHAT IS THE NEW TEST? The new test has been developed over an 18-month period by the Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) in consultation with sector experts, including the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), manufacturers, training providers, operators and unions. It will be recognised by all the main awarding bodies, including RTITB, the leading accrediting body for materials handling equipment training.
This new test is ground-breaking – nobody has ever looked to standardise pedestrian operated lift truck assessment in this way ever before. It comprises both theory and practical tests. The practical element includes safe manoeuvring of a laden truck in confined areas and stacking safely at challenging heights (dependent on truck type). Operators must avoid repeatedly committing serious faults, as more than three occurrences of the same safety fault will result in failure of the test. Candidates must also demonstrate understanding of the workings of the truck, accurately identifying and inspecting safety critical components unique to pedestrian operated trucks, such as the tiller arm, repel pads, fork sleeves, fold down platforms and steering systems, and ensuring they are safe before operation.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OPERATORS?
The new assessment uniquely looks to ensure that an operator’s journey into the world of logistics will be a safe and efficient one. What’s more, operators will be reassured that by achieving the required standard, they will be among the best in the world. Care has been taken to ensure that the new assessment process accurately reflects the workplace, and the work required in the real world by an operator, so they know what to expect. These tests have not been developed for the sake of it, nor are they designed to simply help employers tick a box.
The testing standards for the new assessment are similar to those already in existence for other materials handling equipment. This makes the process easier for operators who then go on to train on other equipment, or who have already done so. It also helps ensure that the lift truck instructors delivering the training are familiar
30 APRIL/MAY 2020 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
with the methodology and can start easily and accurately rolling out the new assessments with training candidates.
HOW WILL IT BENEFIT EMPLOYERS?
Standardising training is important to ensure that everyone is trained to a particular standard with no need to worry about gaps in learning. This makes sure that operating and safety standards are consistent across a business, even on different sites, and helps to support both operational efficiency and compliance.
Delivering the same training course to all operators is, of course, very effective for equipping them with the same level of knowledge and skill. However, it is assessment that confirms an operator’s competence and that is why it is important that testing, as well as training, is now standardised.
Taking a wider view, this also means that there is now a recognisable pallet and stacker truck operator qualification. External, standardised qualifications are more easily transferable between organisations, making recruitment simpler and quicker. It will also help employers to save money and time, as with a recognisable industry qualification, less training will be duplicated or delivered to be ‘on the safe side’ when new employees or temporary staff come on board.
WHY IT MATTERS
We believe that standardising training and testing is at the core of improving and maintaining safety in logistics and transport operations, so we are proud to have contributed to the development of this important, industry-wide safety measure.
RTITB
www.rtitb.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
