Telehandlers are essential on farms across Ireland - but many operators have never received formal training. That is now changing.
Under updated Health and Safety Authority guidance, operators using telehandlers and telescopic loaders for lifting activities are now expected to hold formal training certification and evidence of competence.
For many farms and contractors, this is a significant shift. Most businesses only discover training gaps when something goes wrong - during an inspection, near miss, insurance investigation, or accident.
What Has Changed?
The updated HSA Code of Practice places greater emphasis on:
This brings agriculture more in line with construction and industrial sectors, where certified operator training has long been standard practice.
Who Is Affected?
The updated requirements impact:
Why This Matters
Telehandlers operate in high-risk environments with uneven ground, suspended loads, busy yards, poor visibility, and constantly changing site conditions.
Without proper telehandler safety training, operators may not fully understand:
Businesses are increasingly expected to show evidence of safe systems of work, risk assessments, and operator competence - not just rely on experience alone.
The Cost of Inaction
Following an inspection or incident, businesses may be asked:
- Can you prove the operator was trained?
- Is there documented evidence of competence?
- Has refresher training been completed?
Experience alone is no longer enough. In many cases, undocumented competence can create serious exposure for the business.
Why Refresher Training Matters
Even experienced operators can develop unsafe habits over time. Refresher training helps reinforce best practice, updated safety standards, operational awareness, and safe lifting procedures.
It also helps businesses demonstrate ongoing competence during audits, inspections, and contractor reviews.
Telehandler Training Ireland
At Dynamic Safety Solutions, we provide practical telehandler health and safety training for operators across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK.
Our training supports farmers, agricultural contractors, construction companies, utility operators, and industrial businesses.
The goal is simple: help businesses improve safety, demonstrate compliance, and reduce operational risk before problems arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do farmers now require telehandler certification?
Updated HSA guidance now expects operators of telehandlers used for lifting activities to have adequate training and documented competence.
Does experience count as proof of competence?
Experience is important, but businesses are increasingly expected to provide formal training records and certification.
Is refresher training necessary?
Yes. Refresher training helps maintain safe operating standards and demonstrates ongoing competence.
Book Telehandler Operator Training
If your business uses telehandlers, now is the time to review operator training and competence records.
Don’t wait until gaps are exposed during an inspection, audit, or incident.
Contact Dynamic Safety Solutions
