http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l117.pdf

Para 50 - 54.

It's industry practice (certainly in warehousing and logistics) to screen FLT drivers to identify any medical conditions that could impair their safety as FLT operators (latent conditions e.g. heart attack and possible conditions that could flare up e.g. epilepsy etc.). Where a relevant condition was present Occ Health advice was sought.

Playing devils advocate; paraphrasing - paragraph 50 of the ACOP says you have to RA the health of the drivers - how will you do this without screening to know what if any risks there are?
As we know the acop is not legislation but you have to show that you have taken measures as effective if you don't follow the acop. Incidentally we screen all our FLT drivers.
Stu

Whilst I wouldn't neccasarily disagree with the principle of screening, its the blatant lie I'm not comfortable with.
Its not the first time this company has say 'stretched a point' to suit there own ends and I have reccomended to my MD that we seek an alternative more 'open' provider.

If they say it is a requirement then ask them to show you where it is written in black and white. I have been in this situation before and when you throw the question back at them you are usually hit by a wall of silence!!!

Agree with above posts though that it is best practice but certainly not legislation.

Forgot to post the link to L117.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l117.htm

However paragraph 52 says For most work with lift trucks, a standard of fitness equivalent to that for the Group 1 entitlement (ordinary driving licence holders) would be appropriate. Activities such as working in a particularly demanding environment, working at night or moving highly toxic or explosive materials would probably be more appropriate to the Group 2 entitlement (heavy goods vehicle licence holders).

So dependent upon your activities the only need is to ensure that your drivers have satisified the medical conditions for an ordinary driving licence.

Geoff