Forklift unit standards training explained

There’s a lot of confusion about what unit standards you need to operate a forklift, including one with attachments.

The answer is none, unless you drive a forklift on the road, in which case you’ll need an F endorsement (unit standard 18496). We demystify the four forklift-related unit standards so that you’re not paying for training that’s unnecessary.

Unit standard 10851: Operate a powered industrial lift truck (forklift)

This is an optional unit standard. You can do a forklift US10851 course online, or in class. However, if you don’t want the unit standard, or if you already have it, do a forklift operator’s certificate (sometimes called OSH certificate or forklift licence) of an equivalent or better standard. The prerequisite is that you must be 15 or older.

Unit standard 10852: Operate a powered industrial lift truck (forklift) fitted with attachments

This is an optional unit standard. You can do competency training on the specific attachments you require, or you can do the unit standard which has some rigid requirements: you must use at least two attachments (therefore if you only use one at work, you must also pick another one).

The prerequisite to do this unit standard is either US10851 or equivalent knowledge and skills. Some trainers may insist that you have US10851, but you can refer them back to the unit standard document from NZQA which states “Critical health and safety prerequisites: Unit Standard 10851, Operate a powered industrial lift truck (forklift), or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.”

Unit standard 18409: Use a forklift-mounted safety platform in the workplace

Sometimes called personnel cages, personnel platforms or man cages, this is an optional unit standard. You can do competency training instead. The training itself is reasonably simple – we cover how to use a personnel cage here. There are no prerequisites, however, you should understand the risks of working at heights, including how to use a harness, so either having training or a unit standard in how to put on a harness, or how to work at heights is important. You can do a working at heights course online here.

Unit standard 18496: Demonstrate knowledge and skills for driving a forklift on a road for endorsement F

This is a mandatory unit standard if you want to drive a forklift on a road (or what NZTA classes as a road, which includes the footpath, wharves, rights-of-way, etc). A prerequisite is a full class 1 licence.

Should you get unit standards?

Unit standards can make you more employable. They do prove that, at some point, you met a particular defined requirement. However, they don’t measure ongoing competence, and they are quite rigid. Assessors must not over-assess. This means that if there are specific things that you want your team to be assessed on, they cannot form part of a unit standard assessment.

Unit standard assessments are moderated by the standards-setting body. Course providers must submit details of the course, marking and evidence guides and more for the course to be approved. The advantage of competency-based courses is that they can be specifically tailored to your exact training requirements, and the assessment can ensure that your team understands the specific tasks required of them.

Unit standards must be assessed by a person who is a registered assessor. They must also hold the appropriate assessment unit standards (e.g. 4098) plus the unit standard they are assessing.

To lodge unit standards takes time and costs money, so unit standard courses are sometimes more expensive than competency-based courses.