Truck and lifting equipment: certificate and Work Authority rules
When does it require a certificate and what do the regulations say about safe use
Truck is warehouse's most used — and one of its most dangerous — machines. Truck can lift tons high has limited view and drives close to walking colleagues. Therefore both legal requirement have right qualifications and daily discipline to operate it safely
§Truck types in the warehouse
- 01Pallet jack (manual or electric): for transporting pallets at floor height.
- 02Stacking truck/stacker: lifts pallets up into racks, often with the operator walking or standing.
- 03Counterweight truck (forklift): the classic truck with counterweight at the rear, for lifting and transporting loads.
- 04Reachtruck: for narrow aisles and high shelving, where the forks can be driven forwards.
- 05Pick truck: raises the operator so items can be picked at height.
§When is a certificate required?
According to the Danish Work Authority's rules, the driver must generally have a forklift truck certificate to operate a forklift truck or pallet jack with a lift above a certain height. There are exceptions — for example where the lift height is technically limited to a low height, or for certain low-lifting pallet jacks. As an employee, you should never decide yourself whether a truck is "probably exempt": ask your supervisor and only operate what you have papers and training for.
§Certificate categories
| Category | Typically covers |
|---|---|
| A | Fork stackers with lift above a certain height (walking/standing operator) |
| B | Forklift with operator (counterweight and reach trucks, etc.) — the broad category |
| Telehandler | Own, SEPARATE telescopic handler certificate — not a category under the forklift certificate. |
A B-certificate is the most common for warehouses and gives the right to operate ordinary forklifts. The certificate is issued after an approved education with both theoretical and practical tests and health requirements must be met. The specific delimitation of categories and requirements is set in the Work Environment Authority's regulation — look up the current version if in doubt rather than guessing.
§Safe truck driving in practice
- 01Perform daily inspection before use: brakes, steering, forks, hydraulics, horn and lights.
- 02Drive with the forks low and look in the direction of travel — reverse if the load blocks the view.
- 03Adapt speed to the conditions and reduce speed at intersections, gates and blind corners.
- 04Keep distance from pedestrians and use horn at unclear places.
- 05Never exceed the truck's lifting capacity, and only lift stable, secured loads.
- 06Lower the forks, apply the parking brake and take the key when leaving the truck.
Truck and lifting equipment make warehouse work possible but only when driver has right qualifications knows rules and drives with respect for both load and people around