Forklift Familiarisation Training

Forklift familiarisation helps a suitably trained operator apply their skills to the particular equipment, loads, layout and procedures found at an employer’s workplace.

GH Training can support businesses introducing newly trained operators, new employees or existing operators to unfamiliar working conditions.

Familiarisation takes place at your premises and should include supervised practical experience before the operator works independently.

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What Is Forklift Familiarisation?

Familiarisation is the final stage of the forklift operator-training process.

It allows an operator to practise under normal working conditions while closely supervised. The purpose is to confirm that they can apply their previous training safely within the actual workplace.

Familiarisation may address:

  • The specific forklift they will use
  • Workplace layout
  • Traffic and pedestrian routes
  • Normal loads and pallets
  • Attachments
  • Racking and storage systems
  • Loading or unloading arrangements
  • Charging or refuelling
  • Local rules and reporting procedures
  • The tasks included in their job

The amount required depends on the operator, equipment and working environment.

Familiarisation Does Not Replace Operator Training

Familiarisation is not a shortened basic forklift course and must not be used to qualify someone who lacks suitable formal training.

Before starting, the employer should confirm that the operator has completed appropriate training for the relevant equipment category.

Someone without sufficient training may instead require:

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The Three Stages of Forklift Training

Health and Safety Executive guidance identifies three stages of operator training:

  1. Basic training: The skills and knowledge required to operate a lift truck safely.
  2. Specific job training: Instruction relating to the truck, loads and operating conditions involved in the employee’s job.
  3. Familiarisation training: Applying what has been learned during normal work under close supervision.

Basic and specific-job training should take place away from normal production pressures. Familiarisation takes place on the job. HSE lift-truck training guidance

Completion of a basic course alone should not lead automatically to unsupervised operation.

Who May Need Familiarisation?

Familiarisation may be appropriate for:

  • A newly trained forklift operator
  • An experienced operator joining a new employer
  • An agency or temporary operator
  • An employee moving to another department
  • An operator transferring between company sites
  • Someone using a different model within a trained category
  • An operator handling unfamiliar loads or attachments
  • An employee working within a redesigned warehouse
  • Someone returning to altered working conditions

Previous experience does not remove the need to understand the hazards and procedures at a new site.

What Should Familiarisation Cover?

The Specific Forklift

The operator should understand:

  • Control positions and functions
  • Starting and shutdown procedures
  • Rated capacity and capacity plate
  • Safety devices and warning systems
  • Steering and braking characteristics
  • Pre-use inspection requirements
  • Defect-reporting procedure
  • Parking and key-control arrangements
  • Charging or refuelling process

If the truck is substantially different from the category on which the operator was trained, conversion training may be required.

Loads and Attachments

Supervised practice may cover:

  • Normal pallet and load types
  • Load weights and centres
  • Unstable or irregular materials
  • Approved stacking heights
  • Damaged pallets
  • Load security
  • Attachments and altered capacity
  • Location-specific handling procedures

The operator must be trained to use any attachment that materially changes how the forklift operates.

Workplace Layout

Relevant areas can include:

  • Designated traffic routes
  • One-way systems
  • Pedestrian crossings
  • Blind corners
  • Doorways and restricted clearances
  • Loading bays
  • External yards
  • Racking aisles
  • Slopes and uneven surfaces
  • Restricted or prohibited areas

Site Procedures

Operators should understand:

  • Workplace speed limits
  • Pedestrian controls
  • Horn-use requirements
  • Loading and unloading procedures
  • Trailer or vehicle restraint arrangements
  • Parking locations
  • Battery-charging or fuelling rules
  • Incident and near-miss reporting
  • Emergency arrangements
  • Rules for visitors and delivery drivers

Training on a Different Model

Moving between two forklifts in the same general category does not always require a full conversion course, but the differences must still be assessed.

Familiarisation may be sufficient when changes are limited to features such as:

  • Control layout
  • Manufacturer
  • Power source
  • Truck dimensions
  • Safety systems
  • Display or instrumentation
  • Starting procedure

Conversion training is more likely to be needed when the steering, stability, operator position, lifting mechanism or operating method is significantly different.

GH Training can help determine the appropriate route.

Familiarisation for Agency and Visiting Operators

An operator arriving with a training certificate should not automatically be allowed to begin work without supervision.

The site controller should verify:

  • Their identity and training evidence
  • Equipment categories covered
  • Recent operating experience
  • The duties they will undertake
  • Any limitations on their competence
  • Their understanding of the truck and site

HSE guidance says employers and site controllers should cooperate to ensure non-employees are adequately trained and familiar with the specific risks of the machine and site. HSE lift-truck training guidance

Who Can Supervise Familiarisation?

Familiarisation should be supervised by a competent person who:

  • Understands the equipment
  • Knows the workplace and its hazards
  • Understands the tasks being practised
  • Can recognise safe and unsafe operation
  • Has authority to intervene or stop the activity
  • Can determine whether further instruction is needed

The operator should remain under close supervision until the employer is satisfied that they can complete their duties safely.

Recording the Process

Employers should maintain a record showing:

  • Operator’s name
  • Existing training evidence
  • Forklift used
  • Loads and attachments covered
  • Workplace areas included
  • Tasks practised
  • Dates of supervised familiarisation
  • Person providing supervision
  • Any limitations or further training required
  • Date workplace authorisation was issued

The record should reflect what was actually covered rather than relying on a generic signature alone.

Familiarisation and Workplace Authorisation

After familiarisation, the employer should decide whether the operator is competent for the intended duties.

Formal authorisation can define:

  • Permitted forklift categories
  • Specific trucks or attachments
  • Approved work areas
  • Tasks the operator may undertake
  • Any restrictions or supervision requirements

An operator should not work independently until the employer has completed this process.

Equipment and Services

Familiarisation can be discussed for equipment including:

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Areas Covered

GH Training supports businesses across:

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Discuss Forklift Familiarisation

Tell us:

  • Which forklift the operator will use
  • Their existing training category
  • Whether they are new to the business or workplace
  • The loads and attachments involved
  • Which aspects of the job are unfamiliar
  • Number of operators
  • Workplace location

GH Training will help identify whether familiarisation, conversion, refresher or another course is appropriate.

Request Training Advice

Call 01925 500796