Occupational Health : Lift Truck Driver Medicals

Lift trucks are widely used throughout industry for moving materials and goods; unfortunately they also feature prominently in workplace accidents. Every year there are about 8000 lift truck accidents resulting in injury and occasionally fatality. These injuries cause suffering for the people involved and their dependants. The cost to business as a result of these accidents includes damage to lift trucks, buildings, fittings, goods being handled  and disruption to work activity.

Legal obligations
Employers have a duty under health and safety law to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health safety and welfare of their employees. The main legislation applying to the lift trucks is:

  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • The management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
  • The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
  • The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

Lift Truck Operators
No one should be permitted to operate a lift truck unless he or she has been selected, trained and authorised to do so. The Approved Code of Practice and the guidance Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training provides practical guidance on the training necessary for safe operation of rider-operated lift trucks.

Medical Considerations

People selected to operate lift trucks should be free from any health conditions that might pose a threat to their own, or others health and safety whilst they are operating lift trucks.  However people with disabilities  need not be excluded from such work until a medical assessment is carried out taking into account their suitability for the particular duties that will be required of them.

In view of the medical considerations for a lift truck operator it is good practice for all operators to be screened for fitness:

  • Before employment or pre-placement
  • At the age of 40
  • Thereafter at 5 yearly intervals up to the age 0f 65
  • Annual screening over the age of 65
  • After an accident or sickness absence of more than 1 month
  • After any absence if the individual has suffered an illness that may potentially affect their fitness to operate a lift truck.

It is recommended that any requirement for medical screening and/or examination should be agreed between the employer and employee in advance under a contract of employment.

Points to be considered concerning the normal level of fitness required are:

General
Lift truck operators should have full movement of the trunk, neck and limbs and normal agility. However a very experience worker who loses a limb may be successfully re-employed after retraining. A stable disposition is required but a history of mental illness should not necessarily preclude selection. An individual who is dependant on alcohol and non prescribed drugs should not be employed as a lift truck operator.

Vision
Proper guidance of the lift truck and its load is dependant on the good judgement of space and distance, generally requiring effective use of both eyes. However some people with monocular vision can undertake certain kinds of lift truck work satisfactorily. Distance vision should be of the same standard as for driving a car on public roads. If distance vision is corrected by glasses or contact lenses these should always be worn while operation a lift truck.

Hearing
The ability to hear instructions and warning signals is important but if a risk assessment specific to the job and the individual indicates deafness does not constitute a hazard then it should not exempt someone from operation a lift truck.

Epilepsy
This should not exempt a person from operating a lift truck if they are eligible for an ordinary driving license. This means they have not had an epileptic attack for 1 year. Flashing beacons may trigger epileptic attacks.

Procedure

Other than referral for assessment following an accident or sickness absence an individual who requires screening will be assessed by a nurse who will administer a health questionnaire enquiring about specific health issues in relation to the effects of health on work and visa versa.

Sickness absence or post accident referral should be made on the appropriate referral form detail the reason for referral and the information required back from the OH Clinician to enable the referrer to mange the individuals return to work safely and effectively without further detriment to their health.

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Lift Truck Driver Medicals