Does anyone know about the legislation regarding unloading a tail lift?

Hi, I work at a supermarket unloading wagons. We have no loading bay so have to use a tail lift. We need to find out the law regarding this as we have been asked to unload a tail lift on our own. We have always been told that the law is two people and a driver. Does anyone know about this? COuld you point me in the right direction?Does anyone know about the legislation regarding unloading a tail lift?This sounds like a heath and safety issue.



Your employer must take reasonable steps to protect you from harm as must you yourself take reasonable care to protect yourself and others from harm. The employer must also train you in workplace safety. If they consider that it must be two people working a tail lift then that is company safety policy and you must adhere to it.



As far as I am aware there is no specific law that states this must be so, however there may well be a manual that recommends methods for the safe use of tail lifts from the manufacturer. The employer must be mindful of these safety concerns as the legal position in negligence is 'does the employer know or should they have known of a safety issue with this type of equipment?' I feel the answer would be yes if the manual was issued to them when the vehicle was purchased with such equipment or they should have asked for it.



If you feel unsafe working alone on such equipment then talk to someone, your safety rep or a manager. Safety issues and concerns cannot be ignored by the employer and must be investigated.Does anyone know about the legislation regarding unloading a tail lift?I have put a link in for the health and safety executive, if you put in the search "unloading a tail lift" it has quite a few to look at.



I hope you find the information on there that can help you sort it out.



The site is for the UK so I hope that is where you are.



I hope this helps. :-)