Posted By gburgess We have a depot where presently members of staff who do not have training or licenses are manouvering various vehicles and plant around the depot (e.g. HGV, tracked machines, rollers or in the cases of newly qualified drivers – vehicles over 3500kg). I have been asked as to whether we should allow this practice to continue. I would be grateful for your opinions and advice on the matter. Apparently out insurers have said they don't see it as a problem to them but it may be a H&S problem. Thanks Greg

Posted By Pat Hannaway I agree entirely with previous comments. We have some staff who drive HGV type vehicles and excavators, on large, closed sites. We provide on-site specific training, and have the drivers independently assessed / certificated. Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work equipment Regs covers it . Reproduced below: Training 9. - (1) Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken. (2) Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken. Hope this is of use. Pat H

Posted By Karen Todd Hi Greg, I recently got a leaflet from these guys and noticed a LGV shunting course on it: http://www.hseni.gov.uk/...ails.cfm?provider_Id=147 Maybe someone closer could offer something similar? Regards, Karen

Posted By Frank Hallett It may appear to some to be "over the top" as regards ensuring cpmptence; but the real answer is that it is a mandatory requirement of all H&S that all operatives are suitably competent, and if not clearly identifiable as competent by means of a formal, documented and audited training scheme, then you have some other equivalent method of demonstrating that you've achieved a suitable standard. Of course, you must also ensure that ONLY those who are considered competent by the employer are able [not allowed] to access the equipment to operate it. You have lots of issues that could be easily seen as not demonstrating any meaningful degree of compliance. I suggest that you start by obtaining suitable competent H&S advice along with copies of HS[G] 136, HS[G] 48 & "Improving compliance with safety procedures" ISBN0717609707 and then putting a case for more effective management to those who will end up attempting to defend the indefensible. Good luck, you'll need it. Frank Hallett