Truck and lifting equipment: certificate and Work Authority rules
When does it require a certificate and what do the regulations say about safe use
Introduction
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 truck (manual or electric): for moving pallets at floor level. Does not require a certificate.
- 02Pallet stacker: lifts pallets up into the rack and has support legs under the load. Requires certificate A or B.
- 03Counterbalance truck (forklift truck): the classic truck with a counterweight at the back, for lifting and driving with a load. Requires certificate B.
- 04Reach truck: for narrow aisles and high racks, where the forks can be moved forward. Requires certificate B.
- 05Order picker: lifts the driver up so that items can be picked at height. An order picker that is always guided by rails while driving does not require a certificate.
When is a certificate required?
Pallet stackers and forklift trucks may only be operated by persons who have passed the training «Forklift A» or «Forklift B» (BEK no. 1978 of 27/10/2021 § 7). No training is required when:
- 01the lifting height is locked to at most 1 m with a key switch or similar,
- 02the truck is always guided by rails while driving, e.g. rail-guided order pickers and rack stackers,
- 03the truck is part of an automated system,
- 04the truck belongs to a ship and is operated by the crew,
- 05the truck is tested after repair or driven without a load, or
- 06the mast is mounted on a tractor, the lifting height is under 3.3 m, and it is used in agriculture.
As an employee you must never decide for yourself whether a truck «is probably exempt»: Ask your supervisor, and only drive what you have the papers and training for.
Certificate categories
| Certificate | Machine and breaks | AMU course |
|---|---|---|
| Forklift A | Pallet stacker: has support legs under the load (also with a standing platform) | 47593, 5 days |
| Forklift B | Forklift truck: has no support legs under the load, e.g. counterbalance truck and reach truck. B also gives the right to operate the A machines | 47592, 7 days |
| Telehandler | Its own certificate under § 8 — not a category under the forklift certificate | 48671, 5 days |
The certificate can be issued when you have turned 18 — or from 15 if it is a necessary part of vocational training (§ 23). You must pass a test in both theory and practice, and you must be medically fit. This is documented with your driving licence or the health declaration given when a driving licence is issued (§ 22, subsection 2).
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.
Lifting persons with a forklift may only be done exceptionally — for short, light and occasional tasks — and with a work platform that meets annex 2 of the executive order on the use of technical equipment (BEK no. 428 of 05/04/2022 § 59, subsection 3).
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