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TLILIC0003 Current

Application

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to operate a forklift truck safely in accordance with all relevant legislative requirements. Competence in this unit, does not in itself result in a HRWL licence to operate this plant.
Forklift truck means a powered industrial truck equipped with lifting media made up of a mast and an elevating load carriage to which is attached a pair of fork arms or other attachments that can be raised 900 mm or more above the ground, but does not include a pedestrian-operated truck or a pallet truck.
A person performing this work is required to hold a forklift truck High Risk Work Licence (HRWL).
This unit requires a person operating a forklift truck to:
plan for the work/task
prepare for the work/task
perform work/task
pack up

What You'll Learn

1. Plan work/task

  • 1.1 Task requirements are identified from work orders or equivalent and confirmed with relevant people and site inspection is conducted in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.2 Work area operating surface is assessed to determine suitability for operational use of forklift truck in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.3 Suitability of forklift truck and attachment working load limit (WLL) is determined for the load/s and work/task requirements in accordance with manufacturer requirements and workplace procedures
  • 1.4 Working area is inspected and appropriate paths for operating the forklift truck and moving and placing load/s in work area are assessed and managed in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.5 Hazard and risk control measures are identified and reported to relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.6 Traffic management plan implementation is confirmed in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.7 Appropriate communication procedures are identified with relevant people in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.8 All work is confirmed to ensure coverage of work/task requirements for the relevant work area is in accordance with workplace procedures

2. Prepare for work/task

  • 2.1 Consultation with workplace person/s is maintained to ensure workplan is clear and consistent with site requirements in accordance with safe work procedures
  • 2.2 Weather and work environmental conditions are assessed to determine any impact on forklift truck operations in accordance with manufacturer requirements and safe work procedures
  • 2.3 Risk control measures for hazards identified are checked for implementation in accordance with safe work procedures
  • 2.4 Forklift truck is accessed in a safe manner in accordance with manufacturer requirements and workplace procedures
  • 2.5 Forklift truck logbook is checked in accordance with manufacturer, regulatory requirements and safe work procedures
  • 2.6 Pre-start checks are carried out and any damage and defects are reported, recorded and appropriate action is taken in accordance with safe work procedures and manufacturer requirements
  • 2.7 Forklift truck is set up correctly with any relevant attachments as per work plan in accordance with relevant manufacturer requirements including data plate and safe work procedures
  • 2.8 Operational checks are carried out and any damage and defects are reported, recorded and appropriate action is taken in accordance with manufacturer requirements and safe work procedures
  • 2.9 Hazard and risk control measures are checked for implementation and communicated to people in the work area in accordance with safe work procedures

3. Perform work/task

  • 3.1 Weight and positioning of load is assessed to ensure compliance with forklift truck data plate requirements and in accordance with safe work procedures
  • 3.2 Forklift truck is operated safely in accordance with manufacturer requirements and safe work procedures
  • 3.3 Loads are monitored constantly when lifting, moving, lowering and placing to ensure stability of load and avoidance of hazards in accordance with safe work procedures
  • 3.4 Unplanned and unsafe situations are responded to in accordance with safe work procedures
  • 3.5 Loads are picked up, transported and placed using all forklift truck movements in accordance with safe work procedures
  • 3.6 Forklift truck is parked, switched off and isolated appropriately in accordance with manufacturer requirements and safe work procedures

4. Pack Up

  • 4.1 Forklift truck shutdown procedures are carried out in accordance with manufacturer requirements and safe work procedures
  • 4.2 Forklift truck is secured to prevent unauthorised access/use in accordance with safe work procedures

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying safe operating procedures for a forklift truck including:
maintaining safe operating speed
travelling with load lowered to an appropriate height for the terrain, operating surface and visibility in relation to direction of travel
applying relevant forklift truck manufacturer requirements and data plate information and approved modifications to attachments fitted are in accordance with manufacturer requirements
carrying out pre-start checks, including visual inspection which must include:
battery charge as required by manufacturer requirements
checking and interpreting data plate/s are relevant to the attachment and the forklift truck
checking for signs of paint separation and stressed welds indicating potential structural weakness
document evidence of damage
engine / mechanical fluid level checks including fuel as required by manufacturer requirements
ensuring availability of correct forklift truck logbook and updating records as required
ensuring forklift truck tynes or other attachment/s are securely fitted
ensuring seat and mirrors are adjusted appropriately and seat belt is functional
fluid leaks
lights are working effectively
safety equipment checks
signage and labels to ensure they are visible and legible
wheels and tyres for damage/correct inflation if applicable
conducting and applying risk and hazard assessment strategies including:
insufficient lighting
other specific hazards including dangerous goods
overhead hazards and fixed structures, roof beams and doorways
restricted and poorly ventilated areas
surface suitability based on forklift truck and task requirements
the risk of collision with people, moving plant and fixed structures
weather conditions
complying with Commonwealth, State and Territory Work Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)/Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) legislation, regulations safe work and workplace procedures
conducting operational checks, which must ensure:
all controls are located, identified and tested for functionality
all hydraulic functions operated to maximum extension and ensuring attachment (if fitted) movements and control functions are smooth and comply with operating requirements
hazard warning systems (e.g. reversing beepers, lights and horns) are functional
recording and maintaining accurate information relating to forklift truck operations
safety devices as fitted
start-up is in accordance with manufacturer requirements
steering, transmission and brake functions comply with operating requirements
there are no unusual noises
confirming and following traffic management plan procedures relevant to their role in the work area
conducting relevant procedures for refuelling and isolating fuel/power source as per manufacturer requirements using appropriate PPE
determining relevant lifting attachment to perform work/task
determining lift requirements including:
positioning of unusually balanced/shaped loads
centre of gravity
dynamic nature of load
tyne/attachment positioning
weight
ensuring risk control measures within the work area are effective as per workplace procedures
identifying, isolating and tagging out defective equipment and reporting to authorised person/s
interpreting and confirming relevant documentation, workplace instructions, safety information, emergency procedures for the work task and relevant area
interpreting workplace procedures in relation to various environmental conditions
maintaining communication with other workplace personnel through using worksite procedures including:
audible and visual warning devices
signage
two-way radio
verbal instructions
written instructions
maintaining three points of contact whilst accessing and egressing forklift truck and ensuring rungs / steps are free of hazards
operating and monitoring safe forklift truck operations using minimum 250kg dynamic and non-dynamic loads that include:
aligning tynes/attachment to load
carrying out a lift to 75% of the maximum height
conducting trial lift to ensure forklift truck and load are stable, and load is safe to move
correctly using horns and mirrors in workplace
correctly positioning and using an observer to assist when operating with a load that may restrict vision or be placed out of vision of the operator
driving applicable to conditions and moving loads safely
driving a forklift truck safely with load in forward and reverse, while maintaining visibility through an obstacle course including:
an ‘S’ bend with a minimum 90 degrees left and right turn
ensuring load/s remains stable through pick up, transport and placement
forklift truck speed is appropriate to load and surroundings
lowering dynamic and non-dynamic loads to appropriate height for travel in forward and reverse
picking up, driving, manoeuvring and placing dynamic and non-dynamic loads safely at various heights within a compliant racking system
picking up, driving, manoeuvring and placing dynamic and non-dynamic loads safely into/onto an elevated, flat, stable area
tilting mast (or forks if applicable) to ensure balance of load
using gluts/dunnage appropriately and lowering load safely
using tilt and side shift (where fitted) safely to manoeuvre dynamic and non-dynamic loads into allocated space
reporting to relevant person/s on site risk control measures that are not in place or are deficient
setting up an exclusion zone
securely parking forklift truck and isolating in appropriate position including:
minimising possible access by unauthorised person/s
tynes/attachment lowered to required position in accordance with manufacturer requirements
park brake applied
switching off, isolating fuel/power source and removing key according to workplace procedures
shutting down a forklift truck in accordance with manufacturer requirements and workplace procedures

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

Australian and industry standards, codes of practice and guidelines to safely operate a forklift truck
communication procedures including:
audible and visual warning devices
hand signals
questioning techniques
signage
traffic warning systems
two-way radio
written instructions
forklift truck characteristics and capabilities, manufacturer requirements and instructions for any attachments
impact of the following on the operation of the forklift truck including:
failure/loss of control including brakes and steering
failure of equipment during forklift truck operations
forklift truck instability causes including:
deterioration of ground condition
overloading
pick up and placement of load
irregular loads
operating on ramps and uneven surfaces and in restricted spaces
use of forklift truck data plate and attachment data plate and appropriate methodology to determine weight of a load is appropriate for forklift truck and any attachment if fitted including the estimation or determination from:
labels on the actual load
markings on the actual load
paperwork such as consignment notes, running sheets and weighbridge dockets
weighing a carton and calculating load
manufacturer requirements, instructions and operator’s manual
problems, and appropriate response procedures to unplanned and/or unsafe environmental conditions including:
wind
lightning
water/ice impacted surface/ground
rain
extreme heat
Ultra violet (UV) exposure
problems and equipment faults, and implementing appropriate response procedures to unplanned and/or unsafe situations including:
lock out and tag out procedures
relevant procedures for refuelling and recharging forklift truck using appropriate PPE including:
gas bottle
connecting battery to charger and disconnecting battery from charger and reconnecting to forklift truck
refuelling
procedures for recording, reporting and maintaining workplace records and information
risk assessment process including hierarchy of control:
elimination
substitution
isolation
engineering controls
administrative controls
personal protective equipment (PPE)
safe use and compliance of different types of attachments including:
bale clamps
carpet spike for carpet rolls
drum carrier
jib attachment
paper roll clamps
personnel work platforms
rotators
slippers/fork extensions on tynes
suitability and lifting capability of the attachment to be used
shut down procedures for a forklift truck in accordance with manufacturer requirements
traffic management plan procedures and requirements
typical routine problems encountered operating a forklift truck and associated equipment, and adjustments required for correction
workplace procedures including work plan which may be verbal, documented/written, or electronically generated
work area operating surface suitability including issues with:
backfilled ground
bitumen (damaged, cracked)
concrete (damaged, cracked)
hard compacted soil
potholes
railway tracks
rough uneven or difficult terrain including sloping surfaces, uneven surfaces, steel decks and grates
soft soils
trench covers
Work Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)/Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) requirements, safe work and workplace procedures

Assessment Conditions

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.
As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.
Simulators must not be used in the assessment of this unit of competency.
Resources for assessment must include access to:
a suitable forklift truck that complies with AS 2359 Powered industrial trucks and is in a safe/serviceable condition in accordance with manufacturer requirements
associated equipment for forklift truck operations
suitable dynamic and non-dynamic loads
suitable compliant racking system
relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
applicable documentation including:
approved codes of practice and relevant guidance material
relevant Australian technical standards
manufacturer guidelines (instructions, requirements or checklists), relevant industry standards and operating procedures (where applicable)

Foundation Skills

  • text: Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency

Parent Qualifications

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Last updated from training.gov.au: 22 February 2026