If you are embarking upon a job which will require a pallet truck such as moving pallets or heavy goods, but you have no previous experience using a pallet truck then you may want a crash course in operating one. Firstly you need to determine whether you need a manual or powered pallet truck. A manual pallet truck is simplistic, whilst a powered pallet truck is motorised and controlled by a throttle on the handle, with a platform for the operator to stand on and a certain degree of turn (relevant to the space that the truck will be used in, whether there will be tight corners etc). If you will be transporting heavy goods or stacks of pallets then you will probably need a motorised pallet truck.
You are not legally required to hold a license to operate a powered pallet truck however the company that you work for should give you the relevant training to ensure you can operate one without being a threat to yourself or others and without damaging goods. Certification is not necessary however many companies – generally larger ones - award certificates to show their staff are proficient pallet truck handlers. If you are not provided with training then the company is liable for any damage or injuries that may arise.
Sufficient training to handle powered pallet trucks should include; a brief overview of the workings of powered pallet trucks, theory and video, the safety code for the operator, responsibility under the HSE act 1974, (the health and safety at work act which is the main piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK), information on battery charging, truck stability, motive and hydraulic controls. The machinery should also be checked regularly and these checks recorded before use. After they have been trained the employee will need to pass some tests including a theoretical test, pre-use checks and a practical test, this will ensure that they are familiar with the information and ready to operate a pallet truck independently. If they do not pass then they will have to be re-trained until they are ready to take the test again.
Working with a manual pallet truck is much simpler but obviously has its limitations. The operator simply pushes the forks into the pallet and then uses the jack mechanism on the truck to lift the pallet to a specific height; this is not generally required to be very high as lifting the crate off the floor is only necessary to aid movement. The truck can then be pushed to the desired area.
Operating pallet trucks should be simple and problem free. If the relevant training is adhered to thoroughly there should be little risk of accidents. It is helpful to have a theoretical understanding of how a powered pallet truck works to aid smooth operation.
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