The Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) has warned against the dangers posed by casual forklift training. 

This comes in the wake of claims from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that some businesses allow training to be carried out by a forklift operator who may not be correctly trained themselves. 

According to HSE, this practice is carried out instead of hiring the services of professional lift truck instructors. 

RTITB managing director Laura Nelson emphasised the fact that good training is crucial in helping to prevent accidents at the workplace. 

The Approved Code of Practice for Rider Operated lift truck guidance (L117) from HSE clearly outlines the need for training to be carried out by trained and qualified professionals. 

"A good forklift operator can make the best instructor... but they do need to complete their instructor training to make that transition. Instructor training consists of more than just the forklift operating skills," Ms Nelson remarked.