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5 Day Novice Forklift Course

Forklift training

5 Day Novice Basic Operator Course

Designed for novice operators with little or no previous forklift truck operating experience, this 5 day course provides both theoretical and practical instruction to develop safe operating skills in line with current UK health and safety guidance and industry best practice.

The small group size of a maximum of 3 delegates ensures each trainee receives extensive hands-on operating time and direct instructor support.

Illustration of forklift operator training for the 5 day novice course

Course summary

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Typical daily training time: 08:30 – 16:30
  • Maximum delegates: 3
  • Course type: Novice / Basic Operator
  • Assessment: Theory and practical test
  • Delivered onsite at your premises

Suitable for

  • Individuals with no previous forklift experience
  • New employees requiring operator certification
  • Employers wishing to train staff to recognised safe operating standards

Training can be delivered on

  • Counterbalance Forklift Trucks
  • Reach Trucks
  • Powered Pallet Trucks
  • Other specialist truck types by arrangement

Day-by-day course outline

Day 1

Introduction and safety awareness

  • Introduction to forklift trucks
  • Operator responsibilities
  • Health and Safety at Work requirements
  • PUWER and LOLER awareness
  • Daily pre-use inspections
  • Controls and instrumentation
  • Truck stability principles
  • Load centres and safe working loads
  • Refuelling / battery charging procedures
  • Basic manoeuvring exercises

Day 2

Basic manoeuvring skills

  • Steering and positioning techniques
  • Forward and reverse driving
  • Confined area manoeuvring
  • Use of mirrors and observation
  • Speed control and braking
  • Fork positioning
  • Approaching and lifting loads safely
  • Introduction to stacking exercises

Day 3

Load handling operations

  • Safe load assessment
  • Stacking and de-stacking
  • Working at height safely
  • Pallet handling
  • Narrow aisle operation
  • Bulk stack exercises
  • Trailer and loading bay awareness
  • Hazard identification

Day 4

Advanced operating practice

  • Complex manoeuvring exercises
  • Combined operating tasks
  • Working in realistic workplace scenarios
  • Operating on gradients where applicable
  • Pedestrian awareness
  • Workplace risk reduction
  • Refinement of driving technique
  • Preparation for assessments

Day 5

Revision and testing

  • Theory revision
  • Practical revision
  • Written / verbal theory assessment
  • Pre-use inspection test
  • Practical operating assessment
  • Debrief and results

Practical exercises

Hands-on operating practice

  • Figure-of-eight driving
  • Precision manoeuvring
  • Stacking and de-stacking loads
  • Working in confined spaces
  • Safe parking procedures
  • Load transfer exercises
  • Simulated workplace tasks

Entry requirements

  • Be medically fit to operate industrial equipment
  • Wear suitable work clothing and safety footwear
  • Have sufficient understanding of spoken and written English for safety purposes

Training location requirements

  • Safe operating area
  • Suitable forklift truck
  • Serviceable pallets and loads
  • Adequate stacking area
  • Battery charging or refuelling facilities
  • Welfare facilities for delegates

Benefits of small group training

Increased hands-on driving time

Faster skill development

Improved instructor interaction

Enhanced safety focus

Better delegate confidence

More personalised coaching

Book this 5 day forklift course

For course availability, pricing or to arrange training at your premises, contact KG Training today.

Phone: 07961 956551 | Office: 01327 872220 | Email: contact@kgtraining.com | Coverage: UK

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