I work in a timber yard, where part of my job is to drive a stacker truck and a dumper truck. I read an article recently about an accident where the driver was fined. Do I need a licence or any kind of training to drive this type of machinery?
You don’t need a licence unless you go out on to the public roads, and it’s unlikely you would be held responsible for an accident if you were acting sensibly and doing your job. However under the Health and Safety at Work Act you do need training, and it’s your employer’s job to see that you get it. You should receive a permit to drive specific vehicles after suitable training. There should also be a supervisor on the site who understands the safety requirements. Contact your union, or the Health and Safety Executive.