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Pillar two Non mobile (blue collar) workers, logistics functions

Presentation and discussion on forklift drivers’ training

Final conference, Brussels,

3 & 4 April, 2012

AFT-IFTIM

The European Framework Directive on Safety and Health at Work 89/391 EEC

Directive 89/654 minimum

requirements for the workplace

Directive 89/655 The use of work

equipment

Directive 89/656 personal protective

equipment

Directive90/269 Manual handling

of loads

Directive 90/270 Display screen

equipment

Repealed by Directive 2009/104/EC Concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work

Entry into force: 23/10/2009

Article 9 of the Directive 2009/104 corresponds to Article 7 of the Directive 89/655: « Without prejudice to Article 12 of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall take the necessary

measures to ensure that:Workers given the task of using work equipment receive adequate training, including training on any risks which such use may entail »;

Implementation of the Directive by the companies

Safety specifications by training centres – linked to general competences

• safety at the workplace: anticipate and avoid risks, wear adequate protection equipment;

• Safety of goods

• Gestures and postures, good reflexes at work

• First aid

How it is applied in day to day activity:

• Beginners can follow a training on safety rules, good reflexes and postures at work, fire prevention and first aid at the workplace. This can be provided by an internal trainer or an external company.

• The forklift driver certificate or previous experience in the area of logistics can prove the person’s knowledge and awareness of safety rules in the warehouse

• Requirements on knowledge and respect of safety rules in the warehouse are also stated in the job offers and in the job descriptions elaborated by the companies.

Germany: a specific (driving) licence is required to operate forklift trucks and cranes. Courses have to be followed and an examination has to be passed.

Slovakia, Czech Republic: workers employed must own a licence. Every year, the forklift drivers must have training update in order to be kept aware of the evolution of the legislation on security.

France: the CACES (licence for operating forklift trucks) is not compulsory. Previous experience can influence the decision of hiring workers. The director of the company must give an authorisation to his/her employees in order to allow them to run forklifts (under his responsibility). The CACES has a validity of 5 years.

Overview of a few cases

Romania: Forklift driver training

COR (ISCO) Code: 833403 Stivuitorist (Forklift driver)This standard covers the totality of technical and organizational competences which allow to operate the vehicles for transport of palletized goods in safe conditions.

Conditions of admission: min. 8 classes (ground education), min. 18 years old;Medical certificate

The training: 56 h of theoretical courses in 4 weeks + 44 h of practical coursesat the workplace or in a company partner of the training centreCost: 800-1200 RON (180-280 EUR)

Validation:Exam (test) to obtain the certificate valid in the all EU countries for occupations with the same ISCO codes

Forklift driver course in Romania - content requirements

Areas of competences Units of competences

Fundamental competences 1. Improvement of the professional training

General competences for the sector of activities

2. Respect of the health safety,fire prevention and extinction rules and of the technical rules of the technical rules of the State Inspection for Control of Boilers, Pressure Vessels and lifting installations;3. Filling-in of documentation

Competences specific to the occupation

4. Prepares and checks the vehicle for the activity;5. Operations of transport and manipulation of goods;6. Identification of technical defects;7. Return of the equipment and documentation at the end of the workday

Access to the job of forklift driver in France: a dual approach

Authorisation by the employerafter:

- Medical exam;- Control of employee’s skills and knowledge – CACES, recommendations made by the CNAM (National Sickness Insurance Fund) and examination by certified « testers ». - Acquaintance with the workplace and instructions to be respected

The training for the CACES is adapted to the individual situation and to the targeted type of forklift truck

Professional title (titre professionnel) – forklift driver in a warehouse

Level V of NQF

Prerequisites:

- French read and writing, - Medical examDuration: 280 h in training centre + 70-280 h in the company

The CACES is not mandatory for the delivery of the authorisation, but it gives the employer the assurance that the employee has the required qualification and experience. Otherwise, in case of accident the employer may be taken to justify the reasons of delivering the authorisation to operate a forklift truck in the absence of a training and of the certificate.

Forklift driver certificate compulsory in most of the countries, but variable duration of the training and validity

Country Certificate for forklift truck, Yes/No

Duration of the compulsory training

Validity

France Certificate or experience

35 h, 5 days 5 years, refreshment

Germany Yes 1-3 days No limit, refreshment every year

Austria Yes 20.5 units of 45 min each Certification yearly

Slovenia Yes 5 days Yearly refreshment

Romania Yes 4 weeks - 56 h theory + 44 h of practical courses

Unlimited

Bulgaria Yes 1-1.5 day4 h theory, 4 h of practical courses

5 years, refreshment

In most of the covered countries, forklift driving licence is the document proving the training and the implementation of the Directive.

Training for forklift driver certificate – by external certified trainers/training centres.

Unskilled warehouse employees (handlers, order pickers): no certificate required. Experience is an advantage. Safety and work methodology trainings of 1-2 days by internal trainers.

Overview of the situation

A heterogeneous situation from one country to another.

The forklift driver certificate is not always compulsory (France) to

run a forklift but it gives the company the assurance that the

worker has the necessary skills.

Some countries go further in the implementation

of the Directive: a certificate is required

even for driving manual pallet

trucks in Lithuania;

Conclusion

Encouraging initiatives and expressed needs

Example in Bulgaria: initiative of training. All the personnel of the warehouse follow an additional compulsory training for fire prevention (every 6 months) and for safe work conditions (every 6 months). Even if  forklift drivers certificates are with no limit of validity (according the company), an internal instruction is done every three months for

everything.

Needs expressed by companies: to have an integrated course which would include not only the training for the forklift truck certificate, but

also fire prevention and safe and health rules at work (Bulgaria).

Example of training centre - Denmark