Staying on the right side of the law is crucial for any business, and sectors that use forklifts and MHE know this all too well.
But, what are the legalities surrounding forklifts and what forklift truck laws do you, as a staff member or employer, need to be aware of in 2022?
Well, look no further, because today on Trucks Direct, our latest article will explore the important forklift truck laws, and how you can fully comply.
For more of our free guides on all things MHE and warehouse working, browse the full selection today in our latest news section. But for today, let’s review the critically important forklift truck laws that you need to know about in 2022.
LOLER
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations were created in 1998 and have since become some of the most well-known forklift safety laws.
These regulations place duties and responsibilities on the companies that own, operate and have control over MHE. The LOLERs ensure the proper planning, competency of operators and safe supervision.
How Can my Business Comply with LOLER
It is simple to comply with LOLER, and as an organisation you must manage and control the risks, avoiding injury or damage.
When using lifting equipment ensure that you:
- Plan the use of lifting equipment properly
- Check the operators are sufficiently trained and competent to do so
- Supervise them in a safe and effective manner
Which Equipment does LOLER Apply to?
Lifting equipment is any work equipment used for lifting and lowering loads, including any accessories too.
Some examples of lifting equipment include the following:
- Forklifts and telehandlers
- Goods and passenger lifts
- Motor vehicle lifts
- Patient hoists
- Overhead cranes and supporting runways
- Any lifting accessories
All of this equipment and the relevant accessories fall under LOLER, and need to be used in accordance with the regulations.
Failure to comply with LOLER can result in serious consequences. For example, a coach company in Wrexham, England was fined a huge £250,000 for breaching these regulations. This is why it is critically important for your business to know and understand LOLER regulations.
PUWER
The next set of regulations is PUWER, or Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, created in 1998.
These regulations place duties and responsibilities onto the people that have any kind of control over work equipment. PUWER clearly states that work equipment must be:
- Suitable for the intended use
- Safe for the intended use and maintained safely
- Used only by people who have received proper training, information and instruction.
- Used in conjunction with suitable health and safety measures
How Can my Business Comply With PUWER?
Your business can easily comply with PUWER regulations. Here is what you must be doing to manage the risks from work equipment:
- Ensure the equipment is constructed or adapted for use
- Review the health and safety risks in the workplace when selecting work equipment
- Regularly check that the equipment is being maintained so that it meets a good standard of safety
- Be certain that anyone operating work equipment has received enough, quality training to be doing so
There are many other ways you can comply with PUWER regulations, and for more information click here.
HWSA
The Health and Safety at Work Act, established in 1974, is a primary piece of legislation covering health and safety in the workplace in Great Britain.
This act covers employers, employees and members of the public making it a comprehensive document that every business owner should comply with.
- “Securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work;
- Protecting persons other than persons at work against risks to health or safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work;
- Controlling the keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable or otherwise dangerous substances, and generally preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such substances
- Controlling the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances from premises of any class prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.”
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/section/1
Make Sure your Fleet is on the Right Side of the Law!
Ensuring that your forklift fleet complies with all of these regulations is essential to protecting your business or organisation. Without doing so, you could potentially see some large fines and a bad reputation.
For other simple warehouse safety guides, see the latest industry news from Trucks Direct today. Or browse our extensive range of MHE, which is trusted by thousands across the UK