From December 5th 2002 the majority of fork lift trucks must be fitted with seat belts. This legislation forms part of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Regulation 27 of PUWER refers.
In general terms, seat belts will not be required where:
- The truck has a high degree of stability making it unlikely that it could overturn when used in its normal operating environment for which it was designed. This would normally apply to all trucks with a capacity greater than 10 tons
- The truck is a masted truck that can only roll through 90 degrees and features on the truck prevent the operator being trapped between the truck and the ground. This would normally infer an enclosed cab with doors that cannot be held open or removed during routine operations
- The operator sits sideways and gains access from the rear only. This applies to the majority of reach trucks
- The truck has a stand - on operator
Trucks of greatest concern are those which may overturn and trap the operator between the truck and the ground or allow him/her to be thrown around in the cab as the truck overturns beyond 90 degrees. Most counterbalanced trucks fall into this category.
Summary of requirements>>
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