Posted By Geoff Spanner
We operate a fleet of battery powered sit on tugs.
The drivers have been trained 'in-house' by other experienced drivers however this is not to any recognised standard.
The tugs are used to transfer waste and supplies across our site both internally and externally.
The traffic lanes they travel in both internally and externally are also used by the general public.

We acknowledge the guidelines in the Workplace Regs regarding traffic segregation and have taken action to transfer the movements outside. However we cannot eliminate essential internal movements.

To minimise the risk, in addition to 'in-house' driver training we ensure that drivers are selected carefully and that the operations are adequately controlled and supervised.

Our concern is that if an incident occurred resulting in a HSE investigation our 'in -house' training would, at the least, be regarded as questionable.

We have contacted the recognised training standards organisations to no avail, if they were FLT's no problem!

One potential training provider has declined to provide 'trainer competency' training on the advice of their legal department.

Does anybody know of a training organisation that can train our trainers to a recognised standard please.

Posted By Roger the Dodger
If you cannot find any national standards or manufacturers guidance etc on driver training etc for these particualar tugs.

I would have then thought provied you have conducted a risk assessment, highlighted relevant standards/h&s law, set up a driver training system, recorded who has been trained, stated that no national standards appear to be available etc - then I would say you have acted 'resaonably practicable'

In the final judgement, it would be for a court of law to decide.

Why do people always think that you 'must' use outside training providers.