I have never had any formal training to drive a lift truck. What are the legal requirements?
Your employer has a general duty under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 employers are required to “ensure that all persons who use work equipment have 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.” The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also places duties on employers to provide training for lift truck operators. By not providing you with any training at all, your employer could be breaking the law. http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/factsheets/hscrecognition.
