Operating lift trucks is not easy, on an average day in the UK there is estimated to be over 450,000 lift trucks being used for a variety of applications. Operators must be skilled to handle a truck costing anything from £15,000 for a counter-balanced truck up to £75,000 for a narrow aisle truck. Operators may handle goods worth several million pounds each week. Each year there are reported approx. 12.000 accidents involving lift trucks many of them fatal, it is the operators responsibility to drive his machine in his work place safely and in accordance with the company rules and procedures. In addition employers have a responsibility to ensure that not only are operators adequately training but also that lift trucks are serviced and maintained, that appropriate risk assessments have been carried out and lift truck operations are properly supervised. |
