Rank: Forum user 
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Is it a legal requirement for forklift drivers to wear a seatbelt while driving the forklift?
Many thanks
Will
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Rank: Forum user
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The following is a bit of info from the HSE website re ROPS and seat restraints.
"There is a legal requirement for most vehicles to have an ROPS (Roll-Over Protection System - such as rollcages or rollbars) and seat restraints fitted if there is a risk of them overturning.
An ROPS can reduce the risk of injury if a vehicle overturns, but are not effective unless the driver is also wearing a suitable restraint (e.g. a seat belt). Drivers have been killed when vehicles fitted with an ROPS and restraints overturned, because they were not wearing the safety belt provided".
Also
"Drivers should be trained to follow safety procedures, wear proper seat restraints, spot hazards and avoid them.
Site operators and employers should make sure that they give their employees enough information on the use of seat restraints and any other saftey equipment they provide, includeing when to use them. This could include signs on safety areas and/or vehicles, clear floor markings, and training.
Site operators and employers must make sure that workers are wearing seat belts when necessery, and are not taking risks that could cause vehicles to overturn".
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Rank: Forum user
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It depends on what they are doing and where type of forklift..If they work in yard that is relatively level (good site rules) and are regularly off and on... NO... If they are doing long journeys over rough terrian YES.. But a lot depend on the style of forklift..
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Rank: Super forum user 
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JYoung beat me to it.
A simpler view might be;
Inside a warehouse? - Unlikely to need to wear one
Outside in a loading yard? - Most probably
Anything more uneven than a loading yard? - most definately
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Will, if your risk assessment has determined that the risk of coming off the seat and coming to harm is sufficiently high that one of the controls needed is the wearing of a seat belt, then there is a legal requirement for employees to comply. It is then up to the employer to enforce the use of the risk control.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not much more to add on what has already been said other than reading Part III of PUWER.
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Rank: Forum user
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PEWER regulation 26:
On flat ground, a forklift truck does not tip more than on it's side. On ramps, it may roll over more than just on it's side.
Not sure if this answers your question, but probably the best regulation to start.
Risk assess!!
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Rank: Forum user
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Many thanks folks,
your responses support my assessment of where I need to take this issue.
Best Regards
Will
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Rank: Super forum user
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Burton33213 wrote:PEWER regulation 26:
On flat ground, a forklift truck does not tip more than on it's side. On ramps, it may roll over more than just on it's side.
Not sure if this answers your question, but probably the best regulation to start.
Risk assess!!
Yes, risk assess! but consider factors other than roll over as well, such as collision with other plant/vehicles. Generally speaking the mast on a forklift will prevent from ever going further than on its side but that's enough to kill and so how much it rolls is irelavent IMHO.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Burton33213 wrote:PEWER regulation 26:
On flat ground, a forklift truck does not tip more than on it's side. On ramps, it may roll over more than just on it's side.
Not sure if this answers your question, but probably the best regulation to start.
Risk assess!!
You've competely missed the point of seatbelts on a FLT. The FLT won't roll more than on it's side but if the operative isn't wearing a seatbelt they can get crushed between the ground and FLT. Usually becyuase they are thrown in the way or try to jump. The stance taken by tthe HSE and supported by PUWER is that you need to wear seatbelts UNLESS you can demonstrate that there is no risk of overturn, which is nigh on impossible. To demonstrate a lack of risk of overturn you have to demonstrate that: - there are no sharp corners - there are so slopes - there is no excessive speed - there are no uneven surfaces. The reality is that the only place that is achieved is generally inside a warehouse
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