Safe Handling of Forklift Trucks (2 Days)

In-house forklift operator training, at your facility

This 2-day programme gives forklift drivers and material handling personnel the classroom knowledge and hands-on skill to operate a forklift safely. It’s delivered entirely in-house, at your site, on your own equipment — there’s no public intake to join and no MESH venue to travel to.

Why the 2-day programme

This is MESH’s full, first-time certification pathway for forklift operators — the starting point before anyone is due for a refresher. It covers the engineering principles behind forklift stability, safe operating procedure, and accident prevention in enough depth to build genuinely competent, confident operators, not just pass a test. Diesel refuelling and battery-charging procedure are both covered, so the course applies whichever type of forklift your site runs.

Who should attend

  • Forklift drivers
  • Material handling personnel who operate or work around forklifts

What participants gain

By the end of the course, participants will understand:

  • Forklift operators’ responsibilities and safe operating principles
  • The engineering principles behind forklift stability
  • How to identify danger areas and conduct pre-start and pre-operational checks
  • Safe load handling — picking up, travelling, stacking, de-stacking and unloading
  • Correct parking and safe travel on inclines
  • Common causes of forklift accidents and how to prevent them

Training combines theory lecture, practical training, case study and Q&A, with both theory and practical assessment.

Assessment and certification

Participants are assessed through classroom instruction and hands-on practical skills testing at your facility. Successful completion meets the training requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, and MESH issues certification and a trained driver card on successful completion of both the theory and practical components.

How delivery works

MESH’s team delivers the full 2 days on-site, using your own forklift and your own facility layout, so operators train and are assessed on the equipment and environment they’ll actually be working in. The course is HRD Corp claimable — MESH’s team can confirm current claim details for your organisation.

Related courses

Already have certified operators due for renewal? See the Forklift Trucks Refresher (1 Day).

Want your own people qualified to deliver this training in-house? See MHE Train-The-Trainer.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course open to the public, or only for our company?

It’s in-house only, delivered at your facility for your own operators — MESH doesn’t run this as a public or open class.

Do we need our own forklift for the practical session?

Yes, practical training and assessment use your equipment at your site, so operators are trained on the trucks they’ll actually drive.

Is this the same as the 1-day refresher?

No. This 2-day programme is the full, first-time certification course. The 1-day refresher is for operators who are already certified and need to renew.

Is the training HRD Corp claimable?

Yes, all trainings conducted by MESH are claimable through HRD Corp.

What certification does MESH issue?

A MESH training certificate and trained driver card on successful completion of the theory and practical assessment. This is MESH’s own certification, not a government-issued licence.

Do you provide a licence for this training?

You’ll receive a MESH training certificate and trained driver card — not a government-issued licence. Together they serve as straightforward, easily verifiable proof that the holder has completed the training, and some clients refer to this informally as a “licence,” though it isn’t one issued by the government.

Request in-house training

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