Food stores accused over fork-lift training
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Aldi and Lid are said to be ignoring safety laws by using drivers to unload their trucks instead of trained warehousemen.
Manchester-based ownerdriver Arthur Smith, who trades as AST International Haulage and delivers to the stores, says he has never been given any training in how to use pedestrian-operated fork-lifts.
They may be cutting costs but they're increasing the risk to drivers," he adds. "If another driver ran into you with a pallet who would you sue—the driver, the haulier or Aldi?"
Stockport-based Nick Hughes reports that some of the lifts have stickers on them asking if the user has been trained "but nobody verbally asks you and it's says. He adds he was told that Aldi's insurance covered him when he was on site.
Aldi and LA have declined to comment about the allegation but Chris Williams, operations manager of the Road Transport Industry Training Board, says it recommends that the approved code of practice for operatkig rider-driven fork-lifts should also be applied to pedestrian models.
The Health and Safety Executive says use of fork-lifts is covered by the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992. This requires employers to ensure that "all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety".