Driving lift trucks

Background to lift trucks

Fork lift trucks are widely used throughout industry for moving materials and goods, but they also feature prominently in work site accidents: every year there are about 8,000 lift truck accidents, some of which are fatal. Employers will want to do all they can to prevent accidents, some of which are due to drivers' health issues, so people operating lift trucks should be free from physical defects that might pose a threat to their own health and safety, or the safety of others. (People with disabilities need not generally be excluded from work; medical advice should be obtained about an individual's suitability for a specific job).

What does driving lift trucks mean for employees?

Employees need to be aware that health issues can negatively affect driving and that substances such as medication, alcohol and illicit drugs can have disastrous results. Specific illnesses such as diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure and poor vision can also contribute to accidents.

What are employers' responsibilities?

There is no specific legislation regarding fitness to drive a forklift truck, however, the standards set out in the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) documents for class 1 and class 2 licences are usually applied. See the DVLA website for more information.

Drivers of forklift trucks should be screened for fitness to drive before training commences, and at regular intervals thereafter. It is recommended that drivers' health is checked at age 40 and then every five years, until the age of 65 when the medicals should be carried out annually.

Those diagnosed with a health condition such as high blood pressure should temporarily stop driving forklift trucks until the condition has been treated successfully. Occasionally a health condition may be diagnosed that makes forklift driving untenable in the long-term. In such cases, employers are advised to redeploy the employee to other work, if possible (in line with the principles of the Equality Act 2010). If your employer does propose this, please speak to your safety representative.

Repeat medical assessments are also recommended in all cases after an accident or sickness absence lasting more than one month. They are also recommended after a shorter period of absence if it appears likely that the illness may affect driving. This may include employees who have started on medications that have been prescribed by the GP.

What help is available for employees?

The Health for Work Adviceline 0800 0 77 88 44 provides immediate advice to workers on a range of issues including how health can affect a person's ability to drive lift trucks in the workplace. Advice can be offered on undertaking assessments or investigating a person's fitness to drive a lift truck dependent on possible physical limitations. The medical assessment takes about 30 minutes and includes a general health questionnaire; blood pressure check; hearing, mobility and eyesight testing; and a urine sample to check for diabetes. It also involves a discussion about general health and any recent health problems. The most common health issues to arise from the assessment are high blood pressure or poor eyesight, both of which are easily rectified.

You can also contact your union or health and safety representative for advice if you have any issues relating to lift trucks.

Further sources of information

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on all aspects of lift trucks (HSG 6: 'Safety in working with lift trucks') with an appendix setting out the recommended medical standards.