The RTITB Fork Lift Truck Operator - Novice (Reach) Course is designed for those with no prior experience of forklift truck operation who wish to achieve a nationally recognised operator qualification in the safe and correct use of reach forklift.
Since the safe use of forklift trucks require that delegates consult safety notices and read and thoroughly understand the manufacturer’s instruction manual, English literacy and language comprehension are important requirements for any user.
Successful delegates will receive an e-certificate accredited by RTITB which will be valid for a period of 3 years from the date of the course.
At the end of the course, delegates will take a short multiple choice test. There are a number of safety critical questions that must be answered correctly in order to pass the examination.
Once delegates have passed the theory test, they move onto the practical assessment where they will be tested on their ability to operate correctly and skilfully, but also without undue slowness, hesitancy or excessive speed. There are a number of exercises that must be completed such as stacking and de-stacking operations, reversing and accelerating.
The cut off for the practical assessment is 40 penalty points, however there are some circumstances where the delegate could be disqualified from completing the test such as violent collisions, operating dangerously, unsafe stacking or incurring more than three 5 point penalties in one area.
The agenda for the RTITB Fork Lift Truck Operator Course - Novice (Reach) includes:
- Introduction to lift truck
- Starting/moving/stopping and steering the truck
- Hydraulic systems
- Battery care and maintenance
- Truck stability
- Handling pallets, containers and bulk packs
- Driving on/off ramps and inclines
- Principles of operating on rough terrain
- Loading/unloading and stacking/de-stacking
- Controls and Instruments
- Industrial racking - ground, eye and high levels
- Negotiating inclines
- Stability and Pre-use inspection
- Operator's safety code
- Testing
