Walkie Stacker & Electric Pallet Jack Certificate

The Walkie Stacker & Electric Pallet Jack Certificate is an online course for people who operate pedestrian-operated forklifts in New Zealand. It covers manual pallet jacks, electric pallet jacks and walkie stackers. Operators do the theory online, then pass a practical assessment on their own machine. It suits new operators and operators due for their 3-yearly refresher.

A pedestrian-operated forklift is a lifting machine that the operator walks beside or stands on, instead of sitting in. Common types are electric pallet jacks, walkie stackers and straddle stackers. People also call them walkies, walk-behind forklifts, pallet stackers, powered pallet trucks or jiffys. They move and stack pallets in warehouses, shops, cool stores and yards.

Anyone who uses a walkie stacker, electric pallet jack or manual pallet jack at work needs training. The walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course is for:

• new operators learning to use the machine safely
• experienced operators due for their 3-yearly refresher
• supervisors who assess operators and check how they work
• health and safety staff who keep training records.

The walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course teaches operators to use their machine safely, from start-up to shutdown. Topics include:

• health and safety duties at work
• types of pallet jacks and walkie stackers
• pre-start checks
• hazards such as slippery floors and overhead obstacles
• load ratings and stability
• steering, braking, ramps, corners and tight spaces
• stacking and picking up loads at height
• parking and shutdown
• charging lithium-ion batteries (optional module).

Yes. The walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course covers manual pallet jacks, walk-beside electric pallet jacks and walkie stackers. It also covers walkie stackers with a ride-on platform. The safe operating theory is the same for every make and model. But your business must still train each operator on each machine they use. You can do this in-house, or use the supplier or an external trainer.

Yes, but the course is only part of their training. The walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course gives new operators the theory. They also need plenty of supervised practice on the machine before their practical assessment. Only let them work alone once they have passed and you have authorised them to operate.

No. The walkie stacker and electric pallet jack certificate covers pedestrian-operated machines only. To drive a sit-down or counterbalance forklift, an operator needs a forklift operator's certificate. DT Training offers a separate Forklift Operator's Certificate course.

No. Walkie stacker training does not have to be done by an accredited or external trainer in New Zealand. Your business can train workers in the way that suits it (Health and Safety at Work Act 2015). The training must be at least as good as the Approved Code of Practice for Training Operators and Instructors of Powered Industrial Lift Trucks (Forklifts).

The walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course gives every operator the same training, every time. Operators can repeat modules and use translations and audio. A supervisor then assesses them on your own machines, in your own workplace. This shows you each operator's real skill level. You can keep checking it day to day. When you send operators away, you don't see what they learn.

If you prefer, TR Driver Training can do a verification of competency at your premises for groups at extra cost.

Yes. Walkie stacker and electric pallet jack operators in New Zealand should hold an operator's certificate. The Approved Code of Practice for Training Operators and Instructors of Powered Industrial Lift Trucks (Forklifts) covers all powered lift trucks. That includes pedestrian-operated forklifts. Your business must also give workers the training they need to work safely (Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, section 36).

Manual pallet jacks are not powered, so the code does not cover them. But operators still need training under the Act.

No. NZQA unit standards are not compulsory for walkie stacker or electric pallet jack operators in New Zealand. The Walkie Stacker & Electric Pallet Jack Certificate does not award unit standards. Operators get a certificate of achievement when they finish the online theory. They get an operator's certificate once they pass the practical assessment and a manager validates the result.

Walkie stacker and electric pallet jack training should be refreshed every 3 years. Under the Approved Code of Practice, operator certificates are valid for 3 years. Operators can repeat the course sooner. This helps after an incident, a long break, or when you get a new type of machine. Keep training records for at least 3 years. They show WorkSafe New Zealand that training is ongoing.

If a certificate has expired, the operator repeats the course and the practical assessment. This gives them a new 3-year certificate.

Yes. Operators do the theory for the walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course online. The practical assessment happens on your own machine. Doing the theory online means:

• no time off-site: operators can do a module or two in a quiet moment, on a computer or phone
• video training based on the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the forklift Approved Code of Practice
• questions at the end of each module, with an explanation after each answer
• video subtitles in 25 languages, questions in 76 languages, plus English audio for every question
• progress reports, so you can see which modules operators find hard and give extra help
• operators can repeat modules if you see unsafe habits
• a practical checklist and video, so you can assess at your own workplace.

Yes. Every operator on the Walkie Stacker & Electric Pallet Jack Certificate course must pass a practical assessment on the machine they use. There are two ways to do it:

1. In-house: a competent person in your business, such as a supervisor or experienced operator, does the assessment. They use the checklist and video in the course. There's no extra cost.
2. Verification of competency: TR Driver Training can assess at your premises for groups of operators. Book it after the online theory is finished.

The operator's certificate is issued once a manager validates the practical assessment result. It can be stored on Google Wallet or Apple Wallet.

Yes. A company can use the walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course to train as many operators as it needs. Each operator needs their own course licence. You assign the course, track progress and download reports. You can add more managers at no extra cost. Managers can create certificates when operators finish. Setup and support are free.

No. In the walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course, the lithium-ion battery charging module is optional. If your operators don't charge lithium-ion batteries, a manager can switch it off. All other modules must be done.

The Walkie Stacker & Electric Pallet Jack Certificate course includes:

• video training with questions after each module
• a practical assessment checklist and overview video
• a certificate of achievement when the operator finishes the online theory
• an operator's certificate once a manager validates the practical assessment result
• an ID card that can be saved to Google Wallet or Apple Wallet
• reports to track and manage operators
• extra managers at no extra cost
• free set-up, whether you buy one course licence or 100.

Each operator needs their own course licence and has 6 months to finish and repeat modules.

The Walkie Stacker & Electric Pallet Jack Certificate course takes around 1.25 hours, depending on the trainee. That includes the videos and the questions after each module. Operators can spread the modules over several days. The practical assessment takes extra time.

The minimum age for the walkie stacker and electric pallet jack course is 15. In New Zealand, workers under 15 must not work with machinery. That includes walkie stackers and electric pallet jacks. The rule is in regulation 46 of the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.

• You will need one course licence per operator taking the course - you can't use one licence for multiple operators
• You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training
• You must take a practical assessment at the end of this course. An experienced in-house operator, such as a supervisor, or an external assessor can do it. For more about how it works, read our practical assessment guide.

• Video subtitles/captions are available for all videos. Choose the language in the video.
• Questions: 76 languages are available - check the language option at the top of the page (note that written answers must be in English).
• Question audio: play audio of every question in English
• Documents: English
• Some captions are AI-generated and, as such, may have occasional errors.