Forklift Training

​RTITB - Forklift Reach Operator Covers:

 

• How the reach truck works — You learn all the controls, instruments, hydraulic systems, and how to operate the truck safely. 

• Pre-use checks and maintenance — You learn to inspect the truck before every use (tires, hydraulics, brakes, battery or fuel, general safety), to ensure it’s safe to operate. 

• Load handling and stability principles — You are taught about load weight, balance and stability, how to safely pick up, carry, stack, destack, load/unload pallets or containers, and avoid tipping or unsafe loads. 

• Maneuvering & working in tight/narrow spaces — You learn how to steer, drive forwards/backwards, turn, operate the reach mechanism, and manoeuvre safely — including in narrow aisles, racking areas, inclines or ramps. 

• Stacking, racking, loading and unloading procedures — Includes ground-level stacking, high-level racking, loading/unloading trucks or trailers, and safe placement of loads. 

• Health & Safety + legal/legislative requirements — You are taught relevant safety laws and regulations (workplace-safety, safe use of equipment), safe working practices, and operator responsibilities. 

• Refuelling / recharging and basic upkeep — If the forklift uses battery, diesel, or LPG/gas, you learn how to handle refuelling or recharging safely, and basic machine care/maintenance tied to daily operations. 

• Safe working habits and risk awareness — You become aware of common hazards (overloading, stability risks, poor stacking, confined spaces) and learn ways to minimise risk — for yourself and others. ASL Safety & Training+2demack.ie+2

• Theory + practical assessments — The course includes classroom/theory training (safety rules, load handling principles, regulations) and practical sessions driving the reach truck, handling loads, stacking/unstacking, manoeuvring — then assessment to make sure you meet required competency standards.

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After completing the RTITB Reach Truck course, you should be able to:

• Drive a reach-forklift safely and confidently in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.

• Perform pre-use safety inspections before using the truck to reduce accidents or mechanical failures.

• Pick up, transport, stack and retrieve pallets, containers or bulk loads — even in narrow aisle-racking systems or tight spaces.

• Load and unload trucks / trailers, shift loads around warehouse floors or production facilities according to safe load-handling procedures.

• Understand and follow safety laws, workplace rules and manufacturer’s guidelines — reducing risk to yourself, colleagues, and stored goods.

• Maintain the forklift in a safe, operational state (refuel or charge battery, basic care).

 

RTITB - Forklift Counterbalance Operator Covers: 

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• Understanding the forklift — you learn all about the truck: how the controls and instruments work, how the hydraulics work, and what each control does. 

• Safety, laws, and regulations — you learn relevant legislation and safety regulations, including workplace-health & safety laws, and what your responsibilities are as an operator. 

• Pre-use inspection and maintenance checks — before driving a forklift, you’re trained to inspect it (tires, hydraulics, brakes, battery or fuel, general safety), do basic maintenance or checks, and know when something’s not safe to use. 

• Load handling, stacking and unstacking — learn how to pick up pallets or loads (laden/unladen), stack them correctly (on floor or racking), de-stack safely, load/unload trucks, and manage different kinds of loads (e.g. heavy, uneven, different shapes). 

• Stability and weight assessment / load-stability awareness — you learn about how the weight and balance of a load and the forklift itself affect stability, and how to assess whether a particular load is safe to lift. 

• Driving and maneuvering skills — how to start, move off, steer, reverse, stop, and park the forklift; maneuver in confined areas (e.g. narrow aisles, racking systems), on ramps or inclines, and around obstacles. 

• Safe loading and unloading of vehicles/floor work — how to load/unload trucks or trailers, move loads around a warehouse or yard, and stack/unstack on different surfaces or heights safely. 

• Battery/fuel / power source handling — if the forklift uses battery, diesel or LPG, the course includes safe refuelling or recharging procedures and basic care for the truck’s power system. 

• Hazard awareness and safe work practices — the course trains you to recognise common hazards (unstable loads, improper stacking, poor visibility, ramp risks, pedestrian safety), and teaches safe practices to avoid accidents. 

• Theory + practical assessments — at the end you do a written/theory test (on safety, legislation, load handling, etc.) and a practical driving and load-handling test to make sure you meet the standard required to get certified. 

 

By the end of the RTITB Counterbalance course, you are qualified to:

• Safely drive a counterbalance forklift in a warehouse/industrial setting.

• Check the forklift before each use to make sure it’s safe (tires, hydraulics, battery/fuel, general condition).

• Lift, carry, stack and destack pallets or loads — even in narrow aisles or high-racking systems.

• Load and unload trucks or trailers, manage goods in storage, move loads around.

• Understand and follow workplace safety rules, legal requirements, and safe forklift-operating standards.

• React appropriately to hazards or unstable loads, reduce risk of accidents, and work safely around people and other equipment.

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Safepass Covers:

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• Introduction to Site Safety & Safety Culture — why safety matters on site; what “good safety culture” means. 

• Legislation & Site Safety Regulations — basic laws and regulations relevant to health and safety at work (especially construction sites). 

• Accident Reporting & Prevention — how accidents are reported, how to prevent common hazards on site. 

• Risk Assessment (General & Specific Hazards) — how to identify hazards and assess risk, including special risk assessments for:

  • Electricity (overhead/underground services) 

  • Excavations / Confined Spaces

  • Working at Heights 

• Behaviour-Based Safety & Safe Working Practices — learning to act safely, make good decisions, and work safely around others to avoid accidents. 

• Safe Use of Construction Equipment, Vehicles, Tools, & Machinery — safe practices when using hand-held tools, machinery, vehicles or other equipment on site. 

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Personal Safety — training on what PPE is needed, how to use it, and general health & hygiene at work. 

• Manual Handling, Noise & Vibration Awareness — safe lifting/handling techniques, awareness of hazards related to noise and vibration on site. 

• Health, Welfare, and Site Hygiene — understanding hygiene, welfare, and general worker health on site. 

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After Safe Pass you’ll have the foundational knowledge to:

• Recognise common hazards on a construction or similar work site (electricity, height, excavations, vehicles, tools).

• Understand and follow safe working procedures to avoid accidents — for yourself and coworkers.

• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly and know when it’s needed.

• Help report incidents correctly and respond safely to emergencies.

• Operate or work around tools, equipment or vehicles with awareness of risks (and how to minimise them).

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