Walk Behind Stacker Certification: How It Works

A walk behind stacker, also called a walkie stacker or electric pallet stacker, is a battery-powered lift truck that the operator controls on foot. The operator walks behind or beside the machine and uses a control handle, often called the tiller, to drive, steer, lift and lower.

Common parts include the forks, the mast, the load backrest, the battery compartment and the control handle. The handle usually has the travel and lift controls, a horn, and an emergency reverse button that drives the stacker away from the operator if the handle end is pushed against their body. Training shows you how to use each control and how to test them before every shift.

Unlike a pallet jack, which only raises a pallet a little off the floor, a stacker has a mast that lifts pallets up onto racks and shelves. It is a Class 3 lift truck.

Stackers are common in warehouses, retail backrooms and small manufacturing shops because they are compact and easy to move in tight spaces. But they can still cause serious injuries when operators are not trained.

Other hazards include striking pedestrians in busy aisles, losing control on ramps, and battery hazards during charging. Training teaches you to wear safety footwear, keep a safe position at the tiller, stay within capacity and keep loads low while travelling.

Like other lift trucks, stacker training has two parts:

1. Theory: parts and controls, safety principles, pre-operational checks, load handling, manoeuvring, battery care and emergency procedures. You can do this part online.
2. Practical evaluation: you operate the stacker while a qualified person checks that you can do it safely.

The online course alone does not qualify you to operate a walk behind stacker. You also need a hands-on practical evaluation on the machine. This is done by your employer or a qualified evaluator, or Gama Safety can do it at our Burnaby, BC training centre or at your site. Your employer should also show you the site’s aisles, racking, loads and traffic rules.

There is no government stacker licence in Canada. Your certificate is proof of training, and each employer must make sure you can safely run their equipment.

Each province has its own OHS regulations for powered mobile equipment. The details vary, but the basic ideas are the same:

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

Before each shift, check the stacker. A good pre-use check covers:

• Forks, mast and chains for cracks, bends or wear
• The control handle, horn and emergency reverse or belly button
• Brakes and steering
• Battery charge, cables and connectors
• Wheels and the floor for debris or spills

If something is wrong, tag the stacker out of service and report it. Do not use it until it is repaired.

Anyone who will operate a walk behind stacker at work needs training first. That includes workers in:

The course suits new hires, experienced operators who need a refresher, and supervisors.

Many people who use a stacker do it only part of the day, mixed in with picking, stocking or receiving. That is when habits slip. Short, regular training and supervision help keep everyone safe.

Gama Safety’s online Walk Behind Stacker course has nine modules:

1. Introduction to Walk Behind Stackers: parts, controls and where they are used.
2. Safety Principles: foot protection, pinch points and keeping pedestrians safe.
3. Pre-Operational Checks: inspecting the forks, controls, brakes and battery before each shift.
4. Handling and Load Management: picking up, carrying and stacking loads within capacity.
5. Manoeuvring and Navigation: steering and travelling in narrow aisles, on ramps and around people.
6. Battery Maintenance and Charging: checking, charging and caring for the battery safely.
7. Emergency Procedures: using the emergency controls and what to do if something goes wrong.
8. Practical Training: what the hands-on practical evaluation involves and how to prepare for it.
9. Advanced Techniques and Best Practices: stacking at height, tight spaces and safe daily habits.

There is no single national expiry date. It depends on your province and your employer. Many employers ask for refresher training and a new evaluation every 1 to 3 years, and sooner after an incident, a near miss, unsafe operation, or a move to a new machine or work area.

Battery care is a common gap in refresher training. Charge only in the marked charging area, keep sparks and flames away, wear the right PPE when handling batteries, and follow the maker’s instructions. Never try to repair a battery or charger yourself.

1. Enrol in the online Walk Behind Stacker 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 stacker 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, and is recognized by employers across Canada. Training a team? Volume pricing starts at 2 seats, with an admin dashboard.