Lift-truck training is essential
Page 46
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Concerning your article "Hitching a ride' in CM27 May, one area not mentioned is the necessity and importance for drivers to be properly trained to use piggyback lift trucks.
While not questioning the competence of licensed LGV drivers to drive the goods vehicles concerned, there is a duty on employers, under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act to train operators of lift trucks to the standards described in the associated Approved Code of Practice—Rider Operated Lift Trucks—Operator Training.
Any lift truck operator apppointed since 1 April 1989 must receive basic training and testing as described. While the ACOP specifically refers to certain types of truck only, the piggy-back truck may be described as a rough terrain counterbalanced truck
which is one of the types specifically mentioned.
The fact that most of the work performed by such trucks will be on premises other than those in the control of the employer makes safe operation of these trucks even more necessary to avoid risks to other peoples' health and safety
A suitable training specification and testing procedure for operators of rough terrain types of truck has been drawn up by the Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register, one of the bodies
"recognised by the Health and Safety Commission as competent to accredit and monitor organisations to train instructors and/or to train, test and certificate operators", and listed in appendix 2 of the AC OP.
Details of organisations registered and monitored to the standard may be obtained from Mrs Lyn Dopson at ITSSAR, Scammell House, I ugh Street, Ascot, Berks SL57JF. Telephone (0344) 874454.
D H Pusey
Training standards adviser Glastonbury, Somerset
Legal waste tipping
With reference to your V V article on fly-tipping (CM20-26 May), my company is a large soil and lawn turf supplier in Manchester. It does not surprise me the amount of fly-tipping that carries on.
I run a reputable company which holds a waste tip licence and I defy anybody to get waste soil tipped in the Manchester area legally
Yesterday our vehicle was refused to tip waste soil at no less than five tips in the area before the sixth accepted. This was an exercise that cost time and money t).,,ing up a vehicle and driver for more than four hours.
I congratulate you on your article, but there is an angle that you by-passed and I believe that the blame for the majority of fly-tipping should be diverted to where it really belongs.
B J Kennedy
Kennedy's 7iof, Manchester