Reading the ACOPS guide lines for Rider Operated Lift tucks, i am seeking some clarification.

Note 105. states "where restraining systems are fitted they should be used".

Do you interpret the word "should" as a "must" and therefore it is mandatory that all FLT drivers regardless of task and environment must always wear a seat belt at all times?

Or can you via a risk assessment, ensure the wearing of seat belts is only required in certain areas / tasks?

For example we have a very low speed stores area with a "billiard table" flat floor with zero likelihood of the vehicle overturning. In this case if the risk assessment concludes the truck can not overturn, should we still make the wearing of a seat belt mandatory or is it possible to make it optional.

Any feedback or advice on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mick Canham.

I work in construction as a safety manager so our stance may be a little different to operating in a warehouse or factory environment but it may help.
If any item of plant on our sites are fitted with seat belts, whether our own or sub contractors, it is company Policy that they be worn. It is also best prsctice.
You say that you have flat floors and low speed operations but can you be 100% certain that the operator will always drive slowly and sensibly and that the load will always be in the correct position. If all of these circumstances occurred at once it is possible to overturn and with the seatbelt being worn the operator would remain in his cab.
This may sound a bit over the top but a large construction company that I previously worked for, although not at the time of the accident, have recently been fined for a fatality on site. The telescopic handler overturned and the operator jumped out but sadly was crushed to death by the FLT. If he had been wearing his belt he would have remained within the cab.
I appreciate it was a larger FLT in a different environment but accidents do happen.
If it was me I would insist on the wearing of belts. Hope this helps.

Hi
Does your risk assessment say the truck can't tip over?

If it does how did you come to that conclusion?

I assume it is a counter balance and the forks lift loads, and when the forks are at height the truck will become less stable as the center of gravity moves.

In this case it would be very difficult to justify the risk assessment saying there is no risk of tipping and no risk of the driver becoming injured.

Is there any reason for not wearing the restraint?

My advice would be the restraint should be worn.

Ian

When I say

NOT MANDATORY seat belt: low speed + not elevated loads + low risk of collision with racking + frequent getting out of cab

I mean when ALL of these apply at once

John.W, Jay,

Thanks for your insightful input.

We have conducted a thorough Risk Assessment for the use of counterbalance trucks in our warehouse factory area, and concluded it is not mandatory for the drivers to wear whilst operating a FLT inside our stores and manufacturing area, based on the following conditions -

very low travel speed is possible due to stores / factory layout + there are no tight turns required + the floor is in excellent condition (brand new factory) + due to nature of work the operator frequently gets of the truck to remove stock + no wide loads are transported + all loads moved at low level + all trucks are inspected daily for faults and recorded in log book.

With ALL of the above in place, it is considering that the risk of overturning the counterbalance truck is negligible, and for the benefits of the operation and taking in account all factors highlighted in the risk assessment, we will not mandate the use of seat belts.

I have sought a wide range of opinions on this matter and wrote to the HSE directly seeking their interpretation -although i envisage receiving the response provided by John.W - ref - MISC 241. If i do get any additional useful feedback i will duly post it.

This risk assessment remains open for review and should circumstances change - for example plant layout / tight corners / different loads - then we will remain open to making the use of seat belts mandatory should be the circumstances deem it appropriate.

Our risk assessment for working outside has duly taken into account the greater level of risks associated with gradients, speeds, weather conditions, etc... and we are mandating the use of seat belts in the yard area.

Thanks for your input, it has been helpful. This is the first time i have used IOSH discussion forum for a point of of clarification and found it a useful tool, which i am sure if required i will use again.

Mick.C