The reference work for forklift operation: A/B certificate, load chart and stability, inspection, fuels and working environment — plus checklists and templates, explained so it can be used in the warehouse.
A certificate that opens doors at any warehouse
A forklift certificate is one of the fastest and cheapest routes to work in warehousing, industry and transport. On a one-week course you learn to read load charts, assess stability and drive safely — and the certificate is valid at workplaces across the country. Here is what the trade requires, and how you get started.
Which machines require a certificate, and what is the difference
A legally required operator's certificate is needed for self-propelled forklifts with mechanical mast lift. Certificate A covers pedestrian stacker trucks with stabiliser legs; certificate B covers trucks you stand/sit on or without stabiliser legs — and B also counts as A. Here are the rules and the 1-metre exception.
18 years, a health declaration and a tractor driving licence for use on public roads
The main rule is 18 to obtain a forklift certificate, with an exception from age 15 while in a qualifying vocational programme. You must be medically fit, and if you drive where the Road Traffic Act applies you also need at least a tractor driving licence.
The capacity plate is the truck's reference figure — learn to read it
The load chart (capacity plate) shows how much the truck may actually lift at a given load centre and lift height — not just the nominal figure. Here's how to read off the nominal capacity, load centre and lift height, and why the capacity drops.
Why a forklift tips over — and how to avoid it
A counterbalance forklift rests on three points and stays stable as long as the combined centre of gravity of truck and load remains within the stability triangle. Here is how the moment balance about the front axle works, and what makes the truck tip over.
Measure the depth, use the 50/60/70 rule and add up the combined load
The load centre is the distance from the fork front to the load's centre of gravity. Here's how to find it: measure the depth of the load, use the 50/60/70 % rule of thumb for a quick estimate, and calculate a weighted average when the load is made up of several items.
The forks must not be worn below 90 % cross-section at the heel
Worn forks are a serious safety hazard. The forks must not wear thinner than 90 % of the original cross-section at the fork heel, and fork extensions may be at most 50 % longer than the original forks. Here is how to measure and document the wear.
What may be driven indoors — and what requires ventilation
The choice of power source determines where the forklift may be used. Diesel forklifts effectively cannot operate indoors because of the particulate limit, gas requires ventilation, while electric (battery/Li-ion) and hydrogen are suitable for indoor use. Here are the rules.
Noise, vibration, cold, seat belt and speed
Forklift operation has its own occupational-health limits: hearing protection above 80/85 dB(A), whole-body vibration above 0.5 m/s² must be disclosed, a heated cab in freezer rooms, and the seat belt must always be worn. Indoors the speed is normally no more than 10 km/h.
Daily check by the operator and statutory inspection every 12 months
The truck must be inspected daily by the operator before use, and a statutory main inspection must be carried out at least every 12 months by an expert. Both must be documented. Here is what is checked, and who may do it.
Checklist before the shift begins
A concrete checklist for the daily inspection of the forklift before use: safety equipment, controls, load-bearing parts, brakes/hydraulics/steering, tyres, battery/fuel and the condition of the forks.
The fields you fill in before a heavy or critical lift
A lift plan gathers the information you need to have in place before a heavy or critical lift: the load's weight and dimensions, centre of gravity/load centre, desired lift height, residual capacity read off the load chart, the ground surface, clearance height and securing of the goods.
The most important rules for stable driving on a single card
A short pocket card with the most important stability rules: read the load chart every time, keep heavy loads low and close to the mast, tilt the mast back, lower the forks while driving and slow down in turns.
The DS/EN ISO 3691 series and the other relevant standards
The safety of industrial trucks is anchored in the DS/EN ISO 3691 series, supplemented by DS/EN 16203 for lateral stability and the machinery regulation. Here is an overview of the standards and what they cover.
Only under special conditions, with an approved man basket
Lifting people with a forklift is only permitted under special conditions and with an approved work platform (man basket). A stability and static load test is part of the annual main inspection. Here are the main rules.
BEK 1978/2021 er det gældende grundlag — hvad ændrede sig?
Reglerne for truckcertifikat A og B er forankret i BEK nr 1978 af 27/10/2021 om arbejdsmiljøfaglige uddannelser (bilag 2). Den har afløst de ældre BEK 1088/2011 og BEK 1346/2017 og er siden ændret ved BEK 358/2023, BEK 1869/2023, BEK 505/2024, BEK 728/2024 og BEK 773/2025. Her er hvad du behøver at vide om det lovmæssige fundament.
Adskil gående og kørende — maks. 10 km/t indendørs
De fleste truckuheld sker, fordi gående og kørende er i samme område. Reglerne kræver klare gangzoner, spejle, lys- og lydsignaler samt en indendørs hastighed på normalt maks. 10 km/t. Nedstyrtende gods over 2 m kræver særlig afgrænsning.
Duplex, triplex og specialmaster — hvad kan du løfte og hvor højt?
Masttypen bestemmer, hvor højt trucken kan løfte og hvilken frihøjde den kræver. Duplexmast løfter op til ca. 4 m, triplexmast op til ca. 7,5 m og specialmaster over 16 m. Løftehøjden påvirker kapaciteten — jo højere, jo mindre må du løfte.
Fra manuel stabling til moderne sikkerhed
Gaffeltrucken kom til Danmark efter Anden Verdenskrig og ændrede lager- og transportarbejdet for altid. Fra de første mekanisk enkle trucks uden lastdiagram, over standardiserede kapacitetsskilte og lovpligtigt certifikat, til nutidens sensorik og automation — men hele vejen er momentbalancen, stabilitetstrekanten og lastcenter-aflæsningen forblevet fagets kerne.