Spotlight on fraudulent training certification - Due diligence
Further to our alerts during 2019 we continue to have inquiries to our free service to verify certification issued by ourselves and other training providers. However, we are very aware that fraudulent certification continues to blight the training landscape. The ramifications of this cannot be overstated. Carrying out due diligence continues to be of the highest importance.
Materials Handling Equipment in the hands of an operator who hasn’t been safely and correctly trained can have fatal consequences. On our website, you will notice that we have a live feed from the HSE website. This can include notifications of incidents involving MHE where an individual(s) thought it wouldn’t happen to them. Indeed, it’s not always only the operator which can be hurt when these incidents happen. With the correct training, by an Accredited Training Provider, you can be assured that the likelihood of incidents happening are lessened. This process should be built into your risk assessment and method statement for forklift truck training or indeed all other RAMS where MHE is used.
The only type of MHE certificate that is transferrable from one employer to another is an Accredited certificate of Basic training.
There are 5 recognised Accrediting Bodies, who are the members of the Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABAWT) 2012. These are ITSSAR, RTITB, AITT, NPORS and Lantra.
What to look for on an Accredited certificate:-
- All accredited certificates should have the appropriate Accrediting Bodies logo on them, so either ITSSAR, RTITB, AITT, NPORS or Lantra.
- The registration number of the Instructor/Examiner - this number is unique to the instructor/examiner.
- A unique registration number for the trainee from the relevant Accrediting Bodies operator registration scheme.
- ITSSAR / AITT certification will have a company registration number unique to the Accredited Training Provider.
- Accredited certificates should include details such as the dates & duration of the training and the test date, as well as the type of machine the operator has been trained on, the rated capacity and lift height (if applicable).
- Some certificates will include a lift truck category code i.e. B1 for a Counterbalance with lifting capacity of up to 5000kg.”
All course documentation should be made available on request from the training provider should they not be provided with the certificates. It is these documents which form the legal element not the certificate. This typically includes the practical, theory and pre-use check test paperwork. It is also another barrier against fraudulent producers of certificates. Associated Trainers supplies these documents as standard for both Accredited and Non-Accredited (In-House) training.
To request verification of a certificate(s) takes a minute by either telephoning our office (01787 377648) or by email to info@associatedtrainers.co.uk This should be part of your recruitment process for either permanent or temporary staff operating MHE, to demonstrate that due diligence in this regard has been done. Do not expect that this process has been done by anyone else, including recruitment agencies. By building this process into your RAMS it becomes second nature.
Associated Trainers will always request copies of previous certification prior to refresher training taking place. If we undertook an operators previous training, then this will not be necessary as we will have copies digitally filed. This is part of our due diligence as an Accredited Training Provider and is mandated by our Accrediting Bodies. This is non-negotiable.
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