AITT/ITSSAR letters from MD

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER

Armstrong House
      28 Broad Street
      Wokingham, Berkshire
   RG4O lAB
Telephone : 0118 989 3229                                                                                                                       Fax 0118 979 6058
E-mail itssar@linpone.net                                                                                                                                                                                                                  www.itssar.org.uk

10 March 2005

During 1989 and 1990 the Council of the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers, composed of the leaders in the fork truck industry were in discussion with the Health and Safety Executive to establish an accreditation scheme. This new scheme was to be totally independent from commercial training organisations to avoid bias. Hence HSE’s aim was to separate the training side from the assessment side.

Accordingly HSE stipulated that A1TT could receive accrediting body status only if a completely independent company were formed, run separately from AlIT. Thus ITSSAR was set up in this manner to monitor and maintain standards.

ITSSAR in the early days was competing with other accrediting bodies, who were well established and been running for years but the quality of 1TSSAR’s standards and monitoring were such that it has gained a reputation, which others now try to emulate.

Over the years ITSSAR has written and produced course syllabus manuals for almost every type of truck, and still continues to do so. This has enabled ITSSAR to go from strength to strength and now has over 240 training organisations accredited and 3600 instructors registered.

ITSSAR although non-profit making has sometimes shown a small profit at the end of their financial year. This is used to ensure that standards could be maintained and improved. It is also used to pay the AITT a voluntary levy twice yearly for the use of its accreditation scheme.

AlIT Council has indicated it would now like to merge AlIT and ITSSAR and use the success and money of 1TSSAR to promote the AlTT. ITSSAR is opposed to this because at present, members of committees (who are commercial trainers) have no control or access to the ITSSAR database. One of 1TSSAR’s main worries would be the collapse of this barrier thus enabling training companies being able to use the database to their own ends.

The directors of 1TSSAR, who have discussed this in depth, and feel that this merger would be of no benefit to ITSSAR, it’s monitoring or the up keep of the standards, nor the ITSSAR registrants.

Consequently ITSSAR has applied to the HSE for accreditation in its own right. We are now very pleased to announce that this accreditation was awarded to ITSSAR on Tuesday ₈th March 2000

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER 2nd Floor Suite Armstrong House 28 Broad Street Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1AB
Telephone. 0118 989 3229	Fax: 0118 979 6058
E-mail: itssar@ lineone.net	www.itssar.org.uk
	Vat Registration Number :584 3077 24
Our Ref IT 661.2003
	November12, 2003
To All Cat 2,and 3 registrants.
You will know of course that whilst it is permitted for Cat 2 organisations to employ on an exclusive sub-contract basis Cat 1 Instructors and Cat 3 organisations to similarly employ Cat 4 Tutors it is not permissible for Cat 1 and 4s to subcontract to more than one company. If this method of operation is required, they must reregister as Cat 2 or 3 as appropriate. It has become apparent that abuses of the system are taking place and without a record of what companies are using which Instructors/Tutors, Training companies could become innocently involved. Accordingly it was suggested by AITT Council that ITSSAR obtains a list of the Instructors and Tutors regularly used by Companies (with their numbers for ease of recording). If then a company is in doubt about a potential Instructor/Tutor, it can check with the ITSSAR office, and thus ensure it is the sole employer of that Instructor/Tutor. Will you therefore please let me have a list of those to who you regularly employ on a subcontract basis for including on an ITSSAR database. These details will not be disclosed to others except to report, when asked, that they do or do not subcontract their skills to another company. The name of the other company will not be mentioned. Yours sincerely, George Coates Chairman and Managing Director

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received November 20th 2003

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER 2nd Floor Suite Armstrong House 28 Broad Street Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1AB

	Telephone. 0118 989 3229
	Fax: 0118 979 6058
	e-mail: itssar@ lineone.net
	Vat Registration Number :584 3077 24
Our Ref IT 668	9th June 2003
To All Cat 2,3and 4.
Operator restraint
I am sure that all recipients of this letter are aware of the requirements of the ACOP, L22 in respect of the above. The PUWER 1998 makes it quite clear that unless it is impractical to fit restraints or there is an overwhelming safety case that indicates restraints are unnecessary, they must be fitted and used. The ACOP even picks out centre seated counter balanced trucks as typical cases for such protection. In view of the above Training Standards Advisors (TSAs) will be checking the use of properly fitted safety restraints and take appropriate action against transgressors. A typical excuse for not requiring restraints to be used is that the training centre is a safe environment and hence such safety actions are unnecessary. This will not be accepted because Instructors should be trying to teach automatic safety reactions in their trainees. If every time a trainee takes the seat of a truck he automatically “buckles-up” he is more likely to do so when he returns to his place of work. TSAs will be marking their reports to cover this matter and will be. noting particularly cases of counterbalanced trucks with no operator restraints fitted. Yours sincerely, George Coates Chairman and Managing Director

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received July 9th 2003

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER 2nd Floor Suite Armstrong House 28 Broad Street Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1AB

	Telephone. 0118 989 3229
	Fax: 0118 979 6058
	e-mail: itssar@ lineone.net
	Vat Registration Number :584 3077 24
Our Ref IT 663	9th June 2003
To All Cat 2,3and 4.
Registration, cards and certificate
There has recently been a case of an Instructor training a group on a truck for which he was not registered. You are reminded that Instructors must have a certificate covering them for operation of the truck type on which they are training, ideally they should register with ITSSAR the truck types on which they are trained and for which, subsequently, certificates of training will be issued. If Instructors do not register with ITSSAR the truck types they are qualified to train on, ITSSAR is unable to satisfy inquirers as to Instructors competence. Training Standards Advisors have been instructed to watch out for this type of transgression and mark their reports appropriately. Training organisations do not need to be told that customers will not take kindly to their staff being referred because of an Instructors ‘lack’ of qualification. Similarly, in house operators trained in this manner and applying for registration will be most upset to find their training is irregular. Yours sincerely, George Coates Chairman and Managing Director

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received July 9th 2003

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER 2nd Floor Suite Armstrong House 28 Broad Street Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1AB

	Telephone. 0118 989 3229
	Fax: 0118 979 6058
	e-mail: itssar@ lineone.net
	Vat Registration Number :584 3077 24
Our Ref IT 668	27th September 2002
To All Cat 2,3and 4.
Re: Industrial Truck Groupings
At a recent AITT EGM a discussion took place regarding the ratings of counterbalanced forklifts. After discussions with the AITI Council and the ITSSAR Standards Committee it was agreed to change the banding for these trucks, therefore please find attached a new list. You will note that B1 has been changed from up to 3 tonne to up to 5 tonne, and B2 has been changed from 3 to l5tonnes to 5 to 15tonne I also attach a copy of the Scale of Charges, and you will see from that that there has been a slight increase in charges, this will take effect from 1st October 2002. This is the first change for 3 years Also enclosed are copies of the publication list for Operators Registration Scheme with the new prices Yours sincerely Lynda Dopson Accreditation Manager

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received September 27 2002

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER 2nd Floor Suite Armstrong House 28 Broad Street Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1AB

	Telephone. 0118 989 3229
	Fax: 0118 979 6058
	e-mail: itssar@ lineone.net
	Vat Registration Number :584 3077 24
Our Ref: IT208-2001	9th June 2003
To: All ITSSAR Registered Training Organisations
Re: Standards Committee - 13th March 2001, Minute 8b
It is AITT/ ITSSAR's policy not to recommend any fixed period for the validity of an operator's certificate/ licence. The reasoning behind this policy is that humans are extremely variable, as are the circumstances of their daily lives. Some operators use their trucks every day through a full working day. Others make use of a truck as part of their work activities and many only operate one very occasionally. Some do not use a truck at all after obtaining a licence. It would not only be unfair to require everyone to be retested after a fixed time; it would also allow people grossly out of practice to be in charge of a potentially dangerous machine. In view of the above AITT/ITSSAR does not include a re-test date on its certificates and does not support or condone such a practice. If your certificates carry a re-test date, then you are not meeting ITSSAR's requirements and should delete it from all future documents. However, you are reminded that it remains the responsibility of each employer to ensure the continued competence of its employees (see HSC's Approved Code of Practice L117) and to keep dated records of all their training including refresher training. Yours sincerely, George Coates Chairman and Managing Director

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received July 5 2001

INDEPENDENT TRAINING STANDARDS SCHEME AND REGISTER
2nd Floor Suite
Armstrong House
28 Broad Street
Wokingham, Berkshire
RG40 1AB
                                                                              Telephone. 0118 989 3229
                                                                                       Fax: 0118 979 6058
                                                                                 e-mail: itssar@ lineone.net
                                                                                               Our Ref: IT476
16th March 2001
To all Category 2 and 3 Training Companies

Pivot Steer Lift Trucks
ITSSAR has for some time had a course syllabus and operator testing standard for the above trucks (classified as group P). Whilst ITSSAR is satisfied that the state of knowledge at the time this standard was written led to the appropriate training and safety guidance being embodied. recent events have caused AITT/ITSSAR's Standards Committee to question the completeness of that publication.
The Standards Committee has endeavored to bring together the manufacturers of the various pivot steer trucks, both masted and variable reach (telescopic boom) types, so that the stability under certain conditions can be discussed and if necessary, appropriate training resolved. To date this has not proved possible, but the committee is continuing its efforts in this direction.
In the mean while it is the Standards Committee's recommendation that the ITSSAR document for Group P trucks (ref. Misc 489) be withdrawn from sale. Current users are advised to contact the supplier of any pivot steer trucks they use for training to establish the manufacturer's guidance on training matters.
In due course it is hoped that the alleged stability problem will be clarified and the ITSSAR document can be reissued with any amendments considered necessary

Yours sincerely,
George Coates
Chairman and Managing Director
File IT, 615

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received May 2001

It has been drawn to my attention that tile letter may have been rnisinterpreted. It referred to alleged stability problems with the above types of trucks which include both masted and variable reach (telescopic boom) types.
Having recently spoken to some manufacturers of this type of truck, the industry clearly complies with all the relevant stability standards specific for each truck type .
My letter was in no way intended to denigrate the integrity of the pivot steer truck.
A meeting is expected to be arranged shortly between the manufacturers and AITT/ITSSAR to discuss the appropriate operator standard .

Yours sincerely,
George Coates
Chairman and Managing Director
File IT, 615

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received May 2001

Our Ref: IT574
15 February, 2002
To all Category 2 registrants

Battery Charging Facilities

I have received a substantial response by letter, telephone and e-mail to my letter IT560 on the above subject. It is gratifying to know that so many trainers read my letters and feel strongly enough to reply. Thank you, all that did so, for your views.

Many of you pointed out that the same battery philosopy could- apply to say- gas trucks and petrol and diesel trucks when you only train on electrics. Are you to have a gas cylinder to explain how it is fitted, you question; no of course not. Others reminded me that some companies where they train have their own maintenance staff and operators are not allowed to recharge their battery trucks.

My concern and the concerns of my Training Standards Advisors are that some training companies do not make it dear on their certificates that the training given applies to a particular truck type. A certificate for groups B, C, H, M, and P could be for electric or engine trucks and sometimes the paperwork supplied to the customer does not make clear which applies.

The HSC Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, on which ITSSAR bases its training recommendations, requires both knowledge of the machine and routine inspection and servicing to be covered. It is obviously necessary to make clear the model/type of machines on which the training was given and if aspects of the required knowledge are limited, this must also be made clear on the certificate.

ITSSAR Training Standards Advisors wilt continue to check these matters when they monitor you. Their concerns are that the final training received is properly specified and is what the customer needs.

The AITT Standards Committee wilt shortly be discussing the above, which appears on its agenda. Also on that agenda is an item which includes the make-up of a model certificate. I will communicate with you all again when these matters are cleared.

Yours sincerely,
George Coates
Chairman and Managing Director

Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register Limited
Registered Office : as above Registered Number: 3947778
Copy of letter received March 2002

Reference Letters
Pivot Steer Trucks 1 ( March 2001)	Battery charging (25th December 2001)
Pivot Steer Trucks 2 ( May 2001)	Battery charging facilities (15th February 2002)
Re-Test date on certificates (13 march 2001)	Re-Industrial Truck Grouping ( 27th September 2002)
Operator Restraint (9th June 2003)	Registration Cars and certificates (9th June 2003)
Use of Cat 1 Instructors (12th Nov 2003)	Accreditation information letter (10th March 2005)