RTITB remote refresher training for forklift operators

RTITB offers theory and driver behaviour training online for materials handling equipment (MHE) operators that need refresher training but are unable to attend a course for reasons associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has given companies permission to extend an employee’s authorisation to operate MHE without refresher training by up to three months due to current exceptional circumstances, but employers still have a legal duty to ensure lift truck operations are conducted safely,” said Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RITTB, the workplace transport training accrediting body.

“Topping up a lift truck operator’s knowledge through our eTruck remote learning solution can help support safety until full refresher training can be delivered at a later date,” she continues. “In fact, reach and counterbalance truck operators who complete eTruck training will be able to extend their RTITB registration by one year.”

eTruck UK is a unique digital storytelling tool, available only from RTITB accredited partners, which enables candidates to complete forklift theory training completely online, on a computer or tablet, in the workplace or at home. The pioneering training platform enables candidates to learn by following a story that tackles real issues relating to safety and uses proven methods to help learners better retain information.

“eTruck is not just for refresher training – it can also be used to train new counterbalance lift truck operators much more quickly,” explains Laura. “A time saving of up to two days per person, per course will make all the difference for critical warehouse and logistics operations, which are extremely busy at this time.”

In response to the current pressures faced in the logistics and manufacturing industries, licenses for eTruck UK, are currently available to purchase for a reduced price in April and May 2020. The licenses are valid for life, enabling the informative content to be returned to whenever operators wish to refresh their knowledge.

“We know that it’s not just forklifts that keep the supply chain going so we have developed a number of other e-learning courses for different equipment types,” says Laura. “These are ideal for critical operations where there may not be time for operators to attend a full refresher course, or where employees or new recruits have overrun their refresher period and need to get back up and running quickly.”

“Our e-learning also provides a perfect knowledge top-up for workers who may not have used trucks often in the past, but need to operate them frequently now,” she continues.

Online refresher courses are available to cover pallet and stacker trucks, MEWPs, tow tractors, pivot steer trucks, narrow aisle trucks (VNA), order pickers, vehicle mounted trucks and overhead cranes. E-learning is also available for slinger and signaller, yardshunter and commercial goods vehicle banksman training. All RTITB e-learning knowledge top-ups enable operators to extend their refresher period by up to one year.

Click here for more information, or to locate an RTITB accredited training provider.