Safe User Group

For many years the Fork Lift Truck Association has represented the interests of fork truck dealerships, hiring and service companies, truck manufacturers, associated component suppliers and others who support the fork truck industry.

During that period, the Association has accumulated an enormous wealth of experience, helping those who operate on factory and warehouse floors, in yards, docks and transfer points across the country.

In recent years the Association has played an increasingly prominent role in the promotion of safe working practices and has worked hard to ensure that new legislation and guidance is both practical and achievable.

At the same time, we are conscious that, as lifting equipment becomes ever more complex, so too do the regulations associated with it. Moreover, as a result of detailed discussions with many fork truck users we are well aware that although operating safety is always a high priority, it is just one of many management issues. What is clearly required is current information, presented in a clear and concise way, by experts who have interpreted what is relevant and essential to those responsible for fork lift trucks.

No organisation within the materials handling industry is better placed to deliver this than the Fork Lift Truck Association. That is why we have established the Fork Lift Truck Association Safe User Group. Developed with the interests of fork truck users in mind, it provides privileged access to important information, documentation and advice, without the need for full membership of the Association. Using some of our existing services as a basis, we have built on these to provide a service dedicated to helping improve efficiency and safety across all aspects of fork truck operations. The main benefits of membership are outlined below.

Benefits Of Membership

Members' Area

 The Safe User Group Members' Area is accessible only to members of the Safe User Group. It will be the way forward for delivering a wide range of existing and new member benefits. Operating within this exclusive area gives members access to:
Catalogue purchases and course bookings at member prices
The Safe User Group Forum
A wealth of archive material

Health & Safety Updates

These are issued about 10 times each year. They contain health and safety information about fork trucks and other aspects of the workplace.

Technical Bulletins

Technical bulletins take a detailed look at legislation, regulations or general issues of common concern, and present them in the form of easily understood guidance and/or explanations. They are aimed at operators as well as different levels of management and are amended as required on a regular basis.

Conference

This annual event aims to increase awareness of safety and innovation in the use and design of fork lift trucks.

Quarterly Newsletters

Based on our existing “Uplift” magazine the newsletter covers a variety of topical and important issues. The format is informal to make the information accessible to a broad readership.

Safety Alerts

Where there is information of a more urgent nature this will be communicated to the group members. Sources of information will vary, but members themselves are able to input alert information – such as details of specific incidents - through the Association office. (Company details are of course not included in such a communication.) As an extension of this, group members will be invited to share their experiences through either Uplift or other communications.

Guidance on Legislation

Bulletins are published to give guidance on new legislation and regulations. In addition the Association staff are available to answer specific questions or offer general guidance.

Independent Helpline

The Helpline operates during normal office hours. It is not a free consultancy service, but is a source of independent advice and information on a broad range of issues relating to fork trucks.

Access to Specialist Publications

The Association offers a range of excellent publications, some of which are unavailable to the public. All publications are available at special member prices.

Certificate of Membership

Each member receives a formal, framed certificate of membership. This will be renewed annually. Wording on the certificate includes the following statement.

"The member agrees to conduct its business in a manner that reflects credit upon itself and the Association. Moreover, it will strive to achieve the highest standards of safety in the maintenance and operation of its fork lift trucks and warehousing equipment".

This is an open statement of intent. The certificate is of high quality and designed to be displayed with pride in public areas.

Members' Directory

A listing of Safe User Group Members is provided within the Find a member or service section of the website.

A Voice In The Industry

Members of the Association include all the major manufacturers, dealerships and service providers. Government departments, including the Health and Safety Executive, acknowledge the Association as being a representative body for the industry. Membership of the Safe User Group will ensure that you have an opportunity to influence the industry and legislature by passing your comments and concerns to the Association secretariat.

Costs

Membership is for companies and not individuals. There is a one off joining fee. This covers the initial administration, joining pack and framed certificate. There is also an annual subscription. Each member company may have one named contact. The current rates (2009) are a one-off joining fee of £108plus an annual subscription (calendar year) of £163, both plus VAT.

What Next?

If you would like to become a member of the Fork Lift Truck Association Safe User Group, please fill out our online application form for the safe user group membership, or complete the contact us form on this website or call us on: 01256 381441