L117: Rider-Operated Lift Trucks Guide

What is L117?

L117 is the HSE's Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance for rider-operated lift trucks, commonly known as forklift trucks (FLTs). It provides authoritative guidance on operator training, competence, and safe use under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

Forklift trucks are involved in around a quarter of all workplace transport accidents. Each year, they cause approximately 1,300 injuries and around 8 deaths in the UK. L117 sets out the standards for training operators, selecting appropriate equipment, and managing forklift operations safely.

The document covers all types of rider-operated lift trucks including counterbalance trucks, reach trucks, pallet trucks, telescopic handlers, and other powered industrial trucks where the operator rides on the machine.

Who Needs This Document?

L117 is essential for:

• Warehouse and distribution centres operating any type of forklift truck
• Manufacturing facilities using lift trucks for materials handling
• Construction sites using rough terrain forklifts and telescopic handlers
• Retail operations with goods handling and storage
• Agricultural businesses using telehandlers and forklifts
• Logistics and transport companies with loading and unloading operations
• Training providers offering forklift operator courses
• Any employer with staff who operate rider-operated lift trucks
• Self-employed operators using lift trucks in their work

Key Topics Covered

Types of Lift Trucks

L117 applies to various rider-operated lift trucks including:

• Counterbalance forklift trucks (electric, gas, diesel)
• Reach trucks and narrow-aisle trucks
• Powered pallet trucks (rider-operated)
• Order pickers and stock pickers
• Rough terrain forklifts
• Telescopic handlers (telehandlers)
• Container handlers
• Side loaders
• Articulated trucks

The guidance applies wherever an operator rides on the truck, whether seated, standing, or in an elevated position.

Operator Training Requirements

L117 establishes a three-stage training framework:

Stage 1 - Basic Training:

• Theoretical instruction on lift truck operation
• Practical skills development in a controlled environment
• Understanding of stability, load handling, and manoeuvring
• Safe operating procedures and pre-use checks
• Training delivered by qualified instructors

Stage 2 - Specific Job Training:

• Familiarisation with the actual workplace
• Site-specific hazards and procedures
• Types of loads handled at the workplace
• Layout and traffic routes
• Local rules and restrictions

Stage 3 - Familiarisation Training:

• Training on the specific truck(s) to be used
• Understanding controls and characteristics
• Attachments and their effects on operation
• Supervised practice until competent

All three stages must be completed before an operator works unsupervised.

Assessing Competence

L117 provides guidance on assessing operator competence:

• Written or oral tests of theoretical knowledge
• Practical assessment of operating skills
• Assessment must be conducted by a competent person
• Records of training and assessment must be kept
• Refresher training and reassessment at appropriate intervals
• Monitoring of operators to ensure continued competence

Certificates and Documentation

The ACOP addresses training certification:

• Training certificates should record courses completed
• Employers must satisfy themselves of operator competence
• Certificates alone do not prove current competence
• Site-specific training is always required
• Training records must be maintained
• Certificates from accredited schemes provide assurance of standards

Pre-Use Checks

Operators must conduct daily checks before use:

• Tyres and wheels condition
• Forks or attachments for damage
• Fluid levels (oil, coolant, hydraulic)
• Brakes and steering operation
• Warning devices and lights
• Load handling mechanisms
• Safety devices and guards
• Reporting defects and removing unsafe trucks from service

Safe Operating Practices

L117 covers essential safe working practices:

• Travelling with loads low to the ground
• Speed appropriate to conditions
• Sounding horn at blind corners
• Keeping clear of pedestrians
• Parking on level ground with forks lowered
• No passengers unless designed for them
• Refuelling and recharging safely
• Working on gradients and ramps
• Stacking and de-stacking procedures

Workplace Organisation

The ACOP addresses workplace management:

• Separation of pedestrians and lift trucks
• Traffic routes and floor markings
• Visibility at junctions and crossings
• Adequate lighting
• Floor conditions and maintenance
• Speed limits and enforcement
• Loading bay safety
• Outdoor working considerations

Attachments and Modifications

Guidance on attachments includes:

• Only using approved attachments
• Understanding effects on capacity and stability
• Training operators on attachment use
• Maintaining rated capacity information
• Modifications requiring manufacturer approval

Legal Status

L117 is an Approved Code of Practice under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Following its guidance provides the clearest route to compliance with PUWER Regulation 9 (training) and other relevant regulations. While the ACOP is not itself law, failure to follow its provisions can be cited as evidence of non-compliance in enforcement proceedings.

Courts give significant weight to ACOP guidance. If you follow a different approach, you must be able to demonstrate it provides an equivalent or better level of safety.

Why It Matters

Forklift trucks are among the most dangerous types of workplace equipment:

The Scale of the Problem

• Approximately 8 deaths per year involve lift trucks in the UK
• Around 1,300 injuries annually, many serious
• Lift trucks are involved in about 25% of workplace transport incidents
• Pedestrians struck by lift trucks account for many fatalities
• Overturns cause deaths and serious crushing injuries

Common Causes of Accidents

• Inadequate training or competence
• Poor workplace organisation
• Overloading or unstable loads
• Excessive speed
• Poor visibility
• Pedestrian proximity
• Mechanical failures from poor maintenance

Impact on Workers

• Fatalities - lift truck accidents are often fatal for operators and pedestrians
• Serious injuries - crushing, fractures, amputations, head injuries
• Life-changing consequences - permanent disability affecting quality of life
• Psychological impact - trauma for those involved and witnesses

Consequences for Employers

• Criminal prosecution - fines and imprisonment for serious breaches
• Civil claims - substantial compensation for injuries and deaths
• Enforcement action - prohibition notices stopping work
• Reputation damage - negative publicity and business impact
• Insurance implications - increased premiums or cover withdrawal

Benefits of Compliance

Following L117 brings real benefits:

• Reduced accidents - proper training prevents incidents
• Efficient operations - competent operators work more productively
• Lower costs - fewer accidents, claims, and equipment damage
• Legal protection - evidence of compliance if investigated
• Better workforce - trained operators are more confident and capable

Training Provider Standards

L117 recognises the value of accredited training:

Using accredited training providers helps ensure consistent standards, though employers remain responsible for ensuring competence.

Refresher Training

L117 recommends refresher training:

• At intervals of 3-5 years as a minimum
• After any accident or near-miss incident
• If bad habits are observed
• When changing to different equipment
• After extended absence from operating
• When workplace conditions change significantly

Key Compliance Steps

1. Identify all lift truck operations - types, operators, locations
2. Ensure all operators are trained - all three stages completed
3. Verify competence - assessment and ongoing monitoring
4. Organise the workplace - segregation, routes, procedures
5. Maintain equipment - inspection, maintenance, defect reporting
6. Keep records - training, competence, maintenance
7. Monitor and review - supervise operators, learn from incidents

Further Resources

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998↗
• LOLER - Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998↗
• HSE Workplace transport web pages↗
• INDG199 - Rider-operated lift trucks - Operator training↗

This page summarises the ACOP L117. For full legal compliance, obtain and read the complete document from HSE. This summary is not a substitute for professional advice or the full ACOP text.