Some of you reading may be asking the question “Do you need a licence for electric pallet trucks?” Well, here at Trucks Direct, we are going to answer this very question for you. Anyone working in the warehouse or logistics industry will, at some point, need to learn how to operate these handy pieces of equipment however, operators may be unaware of the legalities when utilising electric pallet jacks. As such, this guide will help you avoid misconceptions so that you can operate in full confidence when conducting your daily tasks.
Do You Need A Licence For Electric Pallet Trucks?
The short answer is no. You do not need a licence to operate an electric pallet truck. There are, however, certain accreditations that must be obtained if you were to operate a pallet truck depending on where you are based.
For example in the UK, under PUWER regulations, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that staff receive suitable and sufficient training in order to operate an electric pallet jack safely and effectively. The training they receive is also the benchmark against which the employer will be judged in the case of an incident that is investigated by the HSE. It is also essential for employers to maintain up-to-date risk assessments and training records to ensure that adequate refresher training is provided, especially if there is a change of machinery or the application has been subject to any changes.
For staff that adhere to training programmes, the accreditations will be awarded upon completion of the course. However, it is important to note that the certification may come with an expiry date so bear in mind that you will need to take the course again at a later date.
Advice Before Utilising an Electric Pallet Jack
Before you begin operating the pallet truck, there are some routine checks you need to carry out to ensure maximum safety is maintained. These include:
- Smooth movement and grip of the wheels
- The emergency brake is in full functioning order
- Look for any scratches or cracks
- All nuts and bolts are tightened sufficiently
- Any oil leakages and available spill kits
- The lifting and lowering functions operate as intended
Should you see any of these aspects failing, you need to alert your supervisor immediately and ensure no one else operates the pallet truck until repairs have been carried out.
Final Point
While we have answered the question “Do you need a licence for electric pallet trucks?” It is important to understand that safety should be the top priority and the main reason why you should be considering any type of staff training.
In addition, always make sure you are aware of the truck’s maximum lifting capacity (printed on the side of the truck) and that you operate your pallet truck with total care and caution.
Finally, if you are searching for competitively priced electric pallet trucks to use for your business, be sure to contact us today and our friendly and highly knowledgeable team will get back to you.