This document discusses the role and responsibilities of supervisors in ensuring safe fork lift truck operations. It notes that UK law requires employers to provide adequate training to supervisors on health and safety methods. The document outlines specific actions supervisors should take including ensuring operators are properly trained, trucks are well-maintained, and unsafe behaviors are addressed. Supervisors play a key role in preventing accidents and protecting workers, goods, and facilities.

1. © 2010 FLTA
Fork Lift Truck Safety
Manage to be safe
The Role of the Supervisor

2. 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:
© 2010 FLTA

3. The Law
© 2010 FLTA
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.

4. The Law
© 2010 FLTA
A 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!

5. 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.
© 2010 FLTA

6. 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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7. © 2010 FLTA
A Possible Solution

8. 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.
© 2010 FLTA

9. 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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10. To supervise FLT operations -
You don’t need to be able to operate a
fork lift truck but…
 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.
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11. Supervision includes
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Making sure that operators
have training appropriate
for the equipment to be
used.

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

13. © 2010 FLTA
Aids such as Virtual Risk
Manager – FLT can help
with assessment.
More details are at:
www.fork-truck.org.uk

14. Supervision includes
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Making sure that operators
carry out their pre shift or
daily checks – properly.
This may mean finding out
what has to be checked.

15. Supervision includes
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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!

16. Supervision includes
© 2010 FLTA
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!

17. As a
supervisor
Don’t turn a
blind eye to
any of the
following:
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18.  Excessive speed at any time.
 Cornering too quickly.
 Failure to stop at junctions – including aisle ends etc.
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19.  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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20.  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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21.  Operators using mobile phones.
 Pedestrians using mobile phones.
 Failure of anyone to react to signs or comply with
segregation rules.
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22.  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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23.  Refuelling risks:
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 Smoking
 Build up of fumes
 If you are not sure - find out. Risks are a bit different for
diesel, LPG and electric trucks.

24.  Untidyness
 Keep working areas clean and clear of debris.
 Have spills and leaks cleaned up immediately.
 Don’t allow signs to become obscured.
© 2010 FLTA

25. Detailed Advice
© 2010 FLTA
 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)

26. Detailed Advice
© 2010 FLTA
 PUWER 98 & LOLER 98
 These are quite difficult to read and don’t
just apply to fork lift trucks.

27. Easier Advice
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 Rider-operated Lift
Trucks: Operator
Training- L117

28. Easiest Advice
© 2010 FLTA
 A range of easy to read
booklets produced by the
Fork Lift Truck Association.

29. Easiest Advice
© 2010 FLTA
 A range of easy to read
booklets produced by the
Fork Lift Truck Association.
 Each booklet has advice for
operators and managers.

30. Easiest Advice
© 2010 FLTA
 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!

31. 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

32. 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

33. © 2010 FLTA
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