FORK LIFT TRUCK ASSOCIATION

GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE Use of Fork Lift Trucks

Project Title: Risk Assessment No: FLT-RA21

Task/Activity: Use of Fork Lift Trucks Project No:

No. of Persons Date Prepared:

Involved: Overall Risk Rating MEDIUM RISK
Risk
HAZARDS Likelihood Severity Rating

Catastrophic

Likelihood x
Occasional

Severity
Negligible
Key hazards associated with the above

Probable

Marginal
Remote

Serious
Ref:

Critical
task / activity.

3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1
1 Falling objects / Insecure load x x 4
2 Overturning of FLT x x 5
3 Unplanned lowering of Forks – Mechanical Failure x x 5
4 Impaired driver-vision x x 6
5 Loads lifted over personnel x x 5
6 Poor weather conditions if working outside x x 8
7
8
Risk Assessment Scores 10> High Risk 5 – 9> Medium Risk 1 – 4> Low Risk

Combined Risk Evaluation = 5.5 Medium Risk

(Combined Score divided by No. of Hazards:- 33/6 = 5.5)

PERSONS AFFECTED PPE REQUIREMENTS

Operatives Members Site Harness & Hi-Viz Respiratory
x x x
of Public Visitors Lanyard Clothing Protection
Other Young Hearing Eye Head
x Managers x x x
Workers Persons Protection Protection Protection
Other Safety Tool-Tether-
x Gloves x x
People Footwear Belt
Severity (S) Risk
Action
1 2 3 4 5 Rating

High Stop the task/activity until controls can be put into

3 3 6 9 12 15
Risk place to reduce the risk to an acceptable level
Likelihood (L)

Medium Determine if further safety precautions are required

2 2 4 6 8 10
Risk to reduce risk to as low as is reasonably practicable

Low
1 1 2 3 4 5 No further action, keep under review
Risk

Risk Assessor Name / job title:

Details of any
persons consulted

Fork Lift Truck Association - 2017

FORK LIFT TRUCK ASSOCIATION
GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURES
Information / Instruction / Training
Specific operator training is required, in accordance
with L117.
Fork lift truck driving by uncertificated operatives is
not permitted; this also applies to sub-contractors
and the self-employed.
Fork lift trucks will be subject to a planned
maintenance programme. Where applicable, raising
and lowering chains to be checked for valid test
certificate.
Type of fork lift to be checked to ensure suitability
for loads to be moved and ground conditions.
Rollover protection and/or restraining systems are
mandatory on all FLTs, especially where there is a
risk of the truck rolling or toppling over.
Physical Controls
Fork lift trucks are not to be overloaded in excess
of manufacturer's recommendations.
Passengers must never be carried on a FLT
unless an additional seat is fitted.
Fork lift trucks are not being left unattended with
engines running or forks raised.
Palletised loads must be checked for security
before carriage.
Daily driver checks must include brake testing.
Vehicles must not be driven at excessive speeds
and only in accordance with workplace conditions.
Extra care must be taken when working on
slopes, especially when crossing the gradient.
A banksman is to be used where operator's vision
is impaired or operating in congested areas.
Fork Lift Truck Association - 2017
Use of Fork Lift Trucks
Managerial Controls
Only competent employees shall be permitted to
use or work on a FLT, and shall have the
appropriate authorisation.
FLT drivers must be trained and given instruction
on the safe systems of work and emergency
procedures.
Ensure adequate supervision is provided and that
control measures remain valid for the duration of
the work.
Under no circumstances shall any FLT be taken
and used on the public highway unless the FLT
carries Road Licence and Registration Plates and
the FLT Driver has a UK Driving License as well as
a FLT Certificate.
Procedural Controls
No FLT will be put into use or will be used until it
has been fully inspected by a competent and
authorised person.
This inspection shall be recorded.
Operating area proposed is to be checked in
advance for suitability.
At blind corners, signs and audio-visual warnings
will be considered.
In workshops and stores, warning signs will be
displayed, and operating areas and overhead
obstructions painted to highlight hazards.
Vehicles must be checked by operators before use
and secured afterwards.
Management must ensure speed restrictions are
enforced, and monitor use on sloping ground.
Issue and storage of vehicle ignition keys are to be
strictly controlled to prevent unauthorised use.
FORK LIFT TRUCK ASSOCIATION

GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE Use of Fork Lift Trucks

Train all operatives to use, and the need for, Appropriate PPE to be worn (see PPE section
appropriate PPE. opposite)

• Hard Hat (EN 397:2012)

• Safety Glasses (EN 166:2001)
• Safety Goggles (EN 166:2001)
• Ear defenders – Overhead type (EN 352-
1:2002)
• Ear defenders – Plug type (EN 352-2:2002)
• Gloves (EN 388:2003) Cut res-1
• Safety Footwear (EN 20345:2004)
• Hi-Vis Vest (EN 20471:2013)

HSE & Other Guidance Comments

• Work at Height Regulations 2005

• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations and ACOP
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 & HSE Guidance L22
• Lifting Equipment and Lifting Operations
Regulations 1998 and HSE ACOP —L113
British Standards:
• HSE Guidance HSG 6 — Safety in working
with lift trucks
• HSE Guidance Booklet - Rider-operated Lift
Trucks: Operator Training guidance L117

Fork Lift Truck Association - 2017

FORK LIFT TRUCK ASSOCIATION

GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE Use of Fork Lift Trucks

Specific Site Assessment Details Site Comments

On each site and each location, the generic assessment that follows must be reviewed to ensure
that all ‘site-specific’ significant hazards and their risks are identified and controlled. Completion of
this part of the document will ensure that your assessment is both appropriate and complete.

FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF

ACTIVITY:

ANY ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC HAZARDS

IDENTIFIED:

ANY ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURES

REQUIRED:

ASSESS THE REMAINING RISKS USING

GRID ABOVE: Low / Medium / High

SERIOUS AND IMMINENT DANGERS

IDENTIFIED:

EMERGENCY ACTION REQUIRED:

IF YES, WHAT ACTION

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)

NAMES OF COMPETENT PERSON(S)

APPOINTED TO TAKE ACTION:

Fork Lift Truck Association - 2017

FORK LIFT TRUCK ASSOCIATION

GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE Use of Fork Lift Trucks

Any Other Statements or additional

assessment: Site Comments

• Fork trucks operating in explosive /

flammable atmospheres.
• Operating on uneven surfaces or
rough terrain

Fork Lift Truck Association - 2017