Are you keeping track of your forklift operations?
17 October 2025
A workplace with forklift trucks involves a great deal of responsibility and requires careful safety measures. SSG’s Health and Safety Advisor, Ida Karlsson, shares some points to consider to ensure a safe work environment where forklift trucks are used.
SSG’s Health and Safety Advisor Ida Karlsson.
Training certificates and skills
The first step is to ensure that everyone who drives a truck has documented theoretical and practical knowledge to use it safely. The training must include theoretical knowledge of the truck and its safe operation, as well as practical training in operating the truck safely in different environments. Upon completion of the training, a personal training certificate is issued.
It is not only the driver who needs to be competent. According to section 20 of the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulation AFS 2006:5, Use of Forklift Trucks, it also applies that “the person managing and supervising work involving forklift trucks must have the knowledge, information and experience required to be able to carry out the work in a safe manner”. It is important that the employer or their representative has the knowledge to assess a forklift driver’s competence and training needs in order to be able to issue a driving permit on safe grounds.
Written operator’s permit
The training certificate obtained after completing training is not sufficient to be allowed to operate a forklift truck at a workplace. Each driver must also have a written driving permit from their employer. This permit is specific to the workplace in question and specifies the types of trucks that may be used and the tasks that may be performed. The driving permit must be issued after the employer has ensured that the driver has sufficient knowledge and experience and that the employer has informed them about the risks and local regulations.
At a shared workplace, the coordination manager must have routines in place for checking that drivers of forklift trucks have a permit from their employer. The coordination manager must also provide the information necessary for the safe use of forklift trucks at the workplace.
Regular assessment and updates
The employer should regularly assess the competence of truck drivers and ensure that their driving permits are up to date. If the work environment changes, for example through the introduction of new truck models or work tasks, further training or an updated driving permit may be required.
The work environment and risk management
Before using trucks at the workplace, the employer must complete a thorough risk assessment. This includes identifying potential hazards such as poorly maintained floors, confined spaces and the presence of pedestrians. Based on this assessment, appropriate safety measures should be taken, such as cordons, warning signs and safety procedures.
Equipment maintenance
Regular maintenance of trucks is crucial to avoid technical failures that can lead to accidents. The employer should have a plan for regular inspections and repairs of their trucks.
Swedish Work Environment Authority carries out inspections
Every year, over 1,000 injuries are reported that result in sick leave for forklift drivers. The Swedish Work Environment Authority is now completing a nationwide inspection of risks associated with working with trucks. A total of 2,500 inspections will be carried out, half of which will be unannounced.
During the inspection, the Swedish Work Environment Authority will check:
- That the charging stations are equipped with the required safety equipment and are well ventilated.
- That the stables have a specified maximum weight per carrying surface, and that there is penetration protection and collision protection where necessary.
- That the forklift truck driver has an employer’s written permit to drive a forklift truck. If written permission is not obtained, a penalty fee will be imposed on the employer.
Find out more here: Accident-prone work with forklifts must be inspected – Swedish Work Environment Authority (av.se)
Link to the Regulation Use of Forklift Trucks, AFS 2006:5
Please remember! On 1 January 2025, this and all other regulations will be replaced by regulations in a new structure, and requirements on to the use of forklift trucks will be transferred to regulation AFS 2023:11 Chapter 4,