1. How long does my “Licence” last for?
There is no specific time period after which you need to provide refresher training or formal assessment. However, you may decide that automatic refresher training or a retest after a set period (for example 3-5 years) is the best way to make sure employees remain competent. Where you adopt this approach, you will still need to monitor performance, in case operators need extra training before the set period ends.
2. How old do you have to be to operate a Lift Truck?
Lift truck operators should be over the minimum school leaving age (MSLA), except in ports where they must be at least 18 years old.
There are particular definitions of people by age in health and safety law:
- a young person is anyone under eighteen years of age;
- a child is anyone who is not over compulsory school age (i.e. he or she has not yet reached the official age at which they may leave school). This is generally referred to as the minimum school leaving age.
The Management Regulations 1999 require you to assess the health and safety risks to all your employees and to identify what you need to do to comply with your legal duties to prevent or control those risks and ensure your employees’ health and safety. Under the Regulations you have particular responsibilities towards young people: - to assess risks to all young people under 18 years of age, before they start work;
- to ensure your risk assessment takes into account their psychological or physical immaturity, inexperience, and lack of awareness of existing or potential risks;
- to introduce control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.
3. How do I get a copy of my certificate of training?
There is no state system for training of lift truck operators as there is for drivers on the public highway. There is therefore no central organisation which holds copies of training certificates. To obtain a duplicate of your certificate of basic training you will need to contact the training provider who trained you and issued the original, or your previous employer. If you cannot obtain a duplicate then your new employer may wish to have you assessed and re-tested.
4. I have forgotten my login for TOPS
Go on to the ITSSAR Web site and click the TOPS button, then enter your email address and click the ‘forgotten password’ option.
ITSSAR has a vast knowledge and expertise in a broad range of mechanical handling equipment.
We recognise, approve and accredit a full range of courses Worldwide, including Counterbalance, Reach, Powered Pallet Trucks and Manual Handing among many others.
We’ve been improving training standards since 1991, and our dedicated team writes and monitors standards for a broad range of mechanical handling equipment to guarantee the highest quality of training within the workplace. The standards we set for registrants are current, comprehensive and far exceed the Accrediting Bodies Forum 2000. To ensure we’re constantly improving the overall quality of training, we hold seminars on a regular basis, inviting members to forward ideas and recommendations.
What We Accredit
- Industrial trucks
- Plant equipment
- Cranes
- Abrasive wheels
- Manual handling
- Lifting slinging & signalling
Operation
We operate from offices based in Bracknell, Berkshire and are a founding member of the Accrediting Bodies Association Work Place Transport (ABA) 2012. This accrediting body was set up to agree and maintain a common set of standards for the basic skills required to operate workplace transport equipment.
Courses
ITSSAR publish courses for a diverse range of applications, including construction plant operation and forklift operation. A full list of ABA Workplace Transport Groups we accredit is available here. Our experience means we know what theoretical and practical skills are required to operate mechanical handling equipment safely.
Our Aim
Our accreditation scheme is driven by practical training specialists. The aim is simple; to improve the standards of training and safety in the operation of industrial trucks. If you are interested in applying for Certification of Training Courses, registration or accreditation, please get in touch.
ITSSAR cover all sectors of industrial trucks. Our comprehensive training organisations ensures they are meeting our current and relevant standards. Our practical trainers specialise in the industrial truck training industry. We are dedicated to helping you improve your level of training.
The Benefits of ITSSAR Accreditation
- Low costs as the scheme is industry driven
- Covers all sectors of industry.
- Access to information that will assist you in maintaining standards of training far beyond the required minimum.
- Inclusion in the ITSSAR Directory.
- Access to training aides and literature.
- A laid down complaints procedure available on request.
- Activities are independently monitored.
- All instructor registrations are verifiable by certificate and identity card which include a photograph for recognition and security.
- A national database (TOPS Scheme) for use by accredited training organisations.
The Benefits of ITSSAR Accreditation
- ITSSAR offers several categories of accreditation, and you’ll find each of these classes below.
- Category 1: Registered Instructor
- Category2: Operator Training Organisation Accredited
- Category 3: Instructor & Operator Training Organisation Accredited
- Category 4: Registered Tutor
- Category 9: Management & Supervisors
If you’re interested in registration or accreditation, please get in touch or call a member of staff on 01344 426230.