Reach Truck Certification: How to Get Trained

A stand up reach truck is an electric lift truck built for narrow aisles. The operator stands in a compartment at the back of the machine. The forks can reach forward to pick up and place loads deep in high racking, then pull back so the truck can travel.

Reach trucks are common in warehouses and distribution centres because they let a business store more product in less floor space. But narrow aisles, high loads and nearby pedestrians make proper training essential.

A reach truck handles differently from a sit-down counterbalance forklift. It turns in a tighter space, the operator stands instead of sitting, and loads are often lifted much higher. Training on a regular forklift does not automatically cover a reach truck.

Online theory alone does not make you a qualified operator. You also need a hands-on practical evaluation on the reach truck you will use, usually done by your employer or a qualified evaluator. Gama Safety Canada offers hands-on reach truck training in Burnaby, BC, or on site at your workplace.

The certificate or wallet card you get is proof of your training. It is not a licence, and each employer must still make sure you can safely run their equipment.

Most reach truck incidents come from a few common hazards:

• Tip-overs and falling loads when a load is too heavy, too high, off-centre or carried with the mast extended.
• Rack strikes that damage racking and can bring loads down.
• Pedestrian strikes in aisles, at corners and at aisle ends.
• Crush injuries if a body part leaves the operator compartment.
• Battery hazards during charging and changing.

Good training teaches you to check the load capacity plate, keep loads low when travelling, watch for people and keep your whole body inside the compartment.

Capacity is a big one on a reach truck. The higher you lift and the further the forks reach out, the less weight the truck can safely hold. Always check the capacity plate for the height you are working at, not just the maximum number. Before you lift, make sure the load is stable, centred and the right size for the rack.

A reach truck is a type of lift truck, so the same basic rules apply as for other forklifts. Each province has its own OHS regulations for mobile equipment, but they share the same main ideas:

• Operators must be trained and competent before they operate a reach truck at work.
• Employers must make sure operators are trained, evaluated and supervised.
• Operators must inspect the machine before use and report defects.
• Training must match the type of truck and the workplace.

Before each shift, operators check the reach truck and work area. A typical pre-use check looks at:

• Forks, mast, chains and the reach mechanism for damage or wear
• Battery charge, connectors and cables
• Brakes, steering, horn, lights and the operator presence controls
• Hydraulic leaks and tire condition
• The aisle and floor for spills, debris and obstructions

If you find a defect, report it and do not use the truck until it is fixed.

Anyone who will operate a reach truck at work needs training first. That includes workers in:

The online course suits new operators getting ready for a practical evaluation, experienced operators who want a refresher, and warehouse supervisors.

Employers training a team can use the online course so every operator gets the same theory first, then book practical evaluations on site. Workers changing jobs also use it to refresh their knowledge before a new employer checks their skills.

Gama Safety’s online Stand Up Reach course takes about 3 hours and has five modules:

1. Introduction to Reach Trucks: what a reach truck is, its main parts and controls, and how it differs from a counterbalance forklift.
2. Safety Procedures: stability, load capacity, pedestrians and narrow-aisle hazards.
3. Pre-Operational Checks: how to inspect the reach truck, battery and work area before each shift and report defects.
4. Operating Techniques: how to travel, steer, lift, reach and stack loads safely in narrow aisles and high racking.
5. Practical Training: what to expect in your hands-on practical evaluation and how to prepare for it.

There is no single national expiry date. It depends on your province and your employer. In BC, lift truck operators must get upgrade training at least every 3 years. Many employers ask for refresher training and a new evaluation every 1 to 3 years. In BC, WorkSafeBC expects forklift operators to get upgrade training at least every three years.

You should also expect retraining sooner after an incident or near miss, if unsafe operation is seen, or when you move to a new model or a new work area.

1. Enrol in the online Stand Up Reach course and start right away on your phone, tablet or computer.
2. Learn the theory at your own pace. Your progress saves automatically.
3. Pass the final exam with 80% or better. Retakes are unlimited and free. Download your certificate right away; a wallet card is mailed free.
4. Complete your hands-on practical evaluation on the reach truck you will use, with your employer, a qualified evaluator, or Gama Safety in Burnaby or at your site.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and more. Training a team? Volume pricing starts at 2 seats. Questions? Call 1-866-661-9803 or email info@gamasafety.ca.