Contrary to views held on the FWi forums, you do need adequate training to operate a telehandler on a farm. What’s more, you need to ensure the machine is properly maintained.

“It’s a bit of a rural myth that needs to be dispelled that farmers don’t need training to operate telehandlers,” says HSE agricultural machinery specialist Alastair Mitchell. “Training is a legal requirement and if you hold a certificate showing you’ve attended a recognised training course, it helps demonstrate you are complying with health and safety law.

On the road it’s important to license a telehandler correctly, make sure you stick to the allowed use, and drive it safely.

What do I need to drive a telehandler on the road?

The vehicle must be registered and licensed. The most appropriate category is as an agricultural vehicle, so you can obtain a tax disc at no cost. But this will limit its use on the road to agricultural activity. So this is fine if you are using it for bale-carting, transporting fertiliser, or travelling to a grain store to load a lorry. But if it’s engaged in building work, for example, even if constructing a farm building, you are technically in breach of an agricultural-use license.

At what age can you drive a telehandler on the road?

As with an agricultural tractor, 16 is the minimum age for driving fixed-frame agricultural vehicles on the road – see Power Farming’s guide to getting a licence for more information.Many telehandlers have pivot steer, in which case 21 is the minimum legal age for taking such a vehicle on the road.

What’s the maximum speed?

As with most fixed-axle tractors and agricultural vehicles, the maximum speed is 20mph. See Power Farming’s guide on speed limits for more.

Can I tow a trailer?

Yes you can, and the same regulations apply as for a tractor and trailer. An important consideration is braking – for loads over 750kg the trailer needs brakes that are controlled from inside the cab. If the telehandler is classed as a mobile crane you cannot tow a trailer.

Can I carry a load on the front?

Yes you can, but you must be careful not to exceed manufacturer’s guidelines on overloading. The load must be secure and contained and not pose a hazard to other road users. It should not obscure your vision of the road ahead and if it projects forward by more than 2m you will needs marker boards and an attendant. Keep the telescopic boom retracted at all times.

What should I do with bale spikes?

Anything that could cause danger should be effectively guarded or removed when travelling on the road – you could be prosecuted if you leave an unprotected bale spike in a position where it could cause danger.

The best solution is to remove any spikes and carry them on a trailer behind. You could tilt them and protect them with a modified pallet or tube so that they do not present a danger. There’s more information in Power Farming’s brief guide to reducing bale spike road dangers.

They are also a hazard in the farmyard. When the telehandler is parked, ensure the boom is lowered and the spikes are on the ground or protected, by leaving a bale on the front, for example.

What’s the best way to travel with a bale grab?

Check how far the bale grab projects from the vehicle if it is horizontal. If this is more than 2m, you may need marker boards and an attendant.

Alternatively you can lift up the boom and tilt the grab towards the windscreen, provided you still have a clear view of the road. You shouldn’t travel with bales on the bale grab, and never lift or lower the boom while on the move.

What about night-time driving?

A telehandler needs lights in accordance with the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989. There’s more information in Power Farming’s guide to legal requirements on lights.Bear in mind the requirement to illuminate projections, particularly if you have an awkward load at the front.

Do I need training to drive a telehandler?

Yes. Under PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, 1998), operators of work equipment such as telehandlers require suitable training so they can use their equipment safely.

Lift trucks, including telehandlers, are also covered by an HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) Safe use of work equipment. The ACOP has special legal status in law, so you are strongly advised to follow the recommendations and undergo formal operator training as detailed in the code.

Obtaining a certificate of formal training following successful completion of a training course will help demonstrate compliance with the ACOP.

At what age can I drive a telehandler on the farm?

Children under 16 years of age should never operate lift trucks, including telehandlers. Young persons (under 18 years of age) should not be allowed to operate lift trucks without adequate supervision unless they have the necessary competence and maturity, as well as having successfully completed appropriate training. Passengers should not be carried.

What other legal requirements are there for telehandlers?

Under PUWER, telehandlers need to be maintained so that they are safe. For maintenance to be effective it needs to be targeted at the parts where failure or deterioration could lead to health or safety risks.

Key areas to check on a regular basis include:

• Mirrors
  
• Wheels and tyres
  
• Brakes
  
• Headstock
  
• Safe load indicator

Where there is a maintenance log or record it should be kept up to date, and the procedures should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) is aimed at ensuring that all lifting operations are properly planned, that lifting equipment is used in a safe manner and that, where necessary, lifting equipment is thoroughly examined at suitable intervals by a competent person. The key requirements are:

• You should assess the risks for each type of lifting equipment and the way it is used in your business, then take action to control the risks.
  
• Lifting operations should be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
  
• Lifting equipment may need to be thoroughly examined by a competent person.

You may find this is a condition under your insurance policy, too. Some insurance companies offer assistance to ensure this check is carried out to the required standard.

What are the key areas of concern with regards on-farm safety?

Apart from those caused by inadequate training and poor maintenance, the main accidents involving telehandlers on the farm are:

• People falling from height, such as out of the bucket or from raised platforms lifted up by the boom
  
• Touching overhead power lines
  
• Running over pedestrians in an area where telehandlers are working – often the mirrors are broken, or poorly adjusted, restricting an operator’s view when manoeuvring
  
• Being crushed by the boom, or between cab and boom, especially where a window has broken or been removed
  
• Overloading, causing the telehandler to topple over – often the working load indicator is disabled, or the safe-loading charts have been removed.
  
• Being run over or crushed after dismounting the machine having not followed the safe stop procedure.

So what should I be aware of when using a telehandler to work at height?

Firstly, standing in a raised bucket, potato box or on a pallet on the forks is not allowed and very unsafe. A telehandler can be used as a means of working at height in certain circumstances, as detailed in HSE guidance. The key points to remember are: 

• You should use a purpose-made platform with edge protection at the correct height to prevent people falling out.
  
• The platform should be secured to the telehandler.
  
• The telehandler should have parallel lift, so that the platform remains horizontal when lifted.
  
• There should be good communication between people on the platform and the telehandler operator.
  
• There should be the ability to isolate the tip lever in the cab, so that it is not operated inadvertently.
  
• For more details, see the HSE guidance sheet PM28 – Working platforms (non-integrated) on forklift trucks..

What are the main points to follow if there are overhead power lines (OHPLs)?

• Identify where they are on the farm and what voltage they are carrying.
  
• Find out how high they are. The minimum height of 11kv lines should be 5.2m above the ground but equipment mounted on poles may be lower. Distribution Network Operators can help.
  
• Establish the reach of your telehandler and whether there are any places on the farm, or jobs you might do, where you may pass too close to a power line.
  
• Investigate whether problem cables can be diverted or buried.
  
• Where they cannot be moved, avoid working with the telehandler at those locations.
  
• Where you have to work near OHPLs, consider using goal posts, warning signs and barriers to alert the operator.
  
• For more details, see the HSE Agriculture Information Sheet No 8, Working safely near overhead power lines.

I’m fed up with the reversing bleeper. Can I disconnect it?

The bleeper is provided for safety reasons. If you deliberately disable it, you are potentially committing an offence.

More info

HSE guidance on PUWER	How the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) apply to agriculture – it covers the safe use of chainsaws and a range of mobile work equipment on farms.
HSE guidance on LOLER	How the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply to agriculture – it covers the safe use of telehandlers and forklifts on farms.
HSE guidance on working at height	Why fall for it? – HSE information on preventing falls in agriculture
Approved Codes of Practice and guidance	Safe use of work equipment (L22) and Safe use of Lifting Equipment (L113), that offer interpretation and legal recommendations on obligations under PUWER and LOLER respectively