Counterbalance Training
Do you need Counterbalance training?
Counterbalance forklifts are the most common type of forklift in UK workplaces. And are essential machinery for material handling. ‘Counterbalance licenses’ are certificates that prove a person has been competently trained on the Counterbalance truck. The training is necassary to ensure the safety of others in the workplace environment.
Counterbalance trucks can carry up to 50,000kg in capacity & can be powered by either Electric, Diesel or LPG.
As the name suggests, the counterbalance trucks use counterbalancing weights on the rear end of the truck to help carry heavier loads than normal.
Do you or your workplace need training on the counterbalance forklift?
What does a Counterbalance Course Cover?
INTRODUCTION TO LIFT TRUCK
TRUCK DESIGN, TYPES OF TRUCK & ATTACHMENTS
DAILY INSPECTION PROCEDURES
LIFT TRUCK STABILITY
MATERIALS HANDLING & PACKAGING
BATTERY CARE – REFUELING
HANDLING & STORING GOODS
SAFE TRUCK OPERATIONS & INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
HANDLING DANGEROUS GOODS
ELEMENTARY DRIVING
SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES
BATTERY CARE – REFUELING
DAILY INSPECTION PROCEDURES
TESTING
How Long Will My Course Be?
The length of your counterbalance training course will be dependent on two main factors:
1. How many people will be attending the course (maximum of 3 delegates)
2. The level of experience
Please refer to the details on the right for further information on each different category.
You will be classed as a novice driver if you’ve never driven a forklift before OR you have less than 6 months experience on truck.
Experience must be recent and not over a year ago.
- 1 operator = 3 days
- 2 operators = 4 days
- 3 operators = 5 days
All our novice courses are accredited with AITT.
Refresher counterbalance forklift training courses are for people who have had accredited training in the last 3-5 years.
They must have been driving the truck and not taken training and then never set foot on it again.
- 1 operator = 1/2 day
- 2 operators = 1 day
- 3 operators = 1 day
All refresher courses are accredited with AITT.
An experienced operator will have been using a Counterbalance truck for 6 months minimum and recently.
Driving a counterbalance truck for a few hours does not count as experience.
Additionally any in-house trained operators would be classed as experienced.
- 1 operator = 2 days
- 2 operators = 2 days
- 3 operators = 3 days
All training is accredited with AITT.
An operator who has been previously trained on a different truck type is able to have a conversion course to the Counterbalance forklift truck.
For example, if the operator was trained on a Reach truck, they could have a conversion course to a Counterbalance.
Course lengths vary depending on the truck converting from. Please get in touch to find out more.
Note: You must receive training for EVERY truck type you wish to operate.
How Much Will My Course Cost?
Novice
3-5 days of training- AITT Accredited
- Certificate & ID Card
- Dedicated Training Centre
- Includes a MHE Services Training Manual
Experienced
2-3 days of training- AITT Accredited
- Certificate & ID Card
- Dedicated Training Centre
- Includes a MHE Services Training Manual
Refresher
1 day of training- AITT Accredited
- Certificate & ID Card
- Dedicated Training Centre
Conversion
1-5 days of training- AITT Accredited
- Certificate & ID Card
- Dedicated Training Centre
Customer Reviews
Book your Course Today
Give us a call to discuss your training requirements
01226 491432
Frequently Asked Questions
They are both the same. In actual fact there is no such thing as a ‘forklift licence’. However, as training providers regularly provide Photo ID Cards to prove certification, these are often presumed to be forklift licences.
The minimum age is 16. However, if you work on a dock this is then increased to 18.
Your forklift license / certification will last for 3 to 5 years, dependent on the employer.
Most employers expect refreshers every 3 years in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone at work.
No. The only requirement is to be over 16 and to have passed your forklift training.
Most employees will expect forklift operators to have a valid forklift certification and that this be accredited. It is mandatory under the HSE guidelines that all operators have received training.
Additionally you must be fit and well to drive a forklift.
No. We regularly train operators who have never touched a forklift before. Provided you listen well and follow the instructors instructions, you should have no issues in passing.
Yes. You will need training for each different truck you will be driving.
If you’re only going to be driving one type of forklift, then you will only require training on that one truck.
Technically yes. It must be registered with the DVLA for road use, taxed, number plate and you must have a full drivers license as well as your forklift certification.
None. They are all accrediting bodies under the ABA and recognised as providers of forklift training.
If you are accredited with AITT, this is no different to being accredited with RTITB.