Waste Facility Forklift Operator Contract UK

Responsibilities reflected in the contract

• Inspect and operate assigned lift trucks.
• Move bales bins pallets and equipment safely.
• Load vehicles within plans and capacity.
• Maintain pedestrian separation and housekeeping.
• Report heat damage leaks and defects.

A realistic working scenario

On site or in depot the Forklift Operator (Waste) uses warehouse management systems, scanners and forklifts to pick, stack and move waste containers and materials. The role completes vehicle check records, PPE checks and handovers, scans pallet and route data, updates stock and incident records, and raises defects, delays or safeguarding-type disclosures to the site manager or project manager for resolution.

Outputs to agree

• Completed vehicle check record after each shift and any defect logged in equipment inspection records
• Scanned pick/putaway transactions in the warehouse management system for each load
• Handover report at shift change detailing unfinished loads, missed handovers and outstanding risks
• Incident or damage report submitted when stock, vehicle or customer property is damaged
• Escalation note or email to the site manager or project manager for unresolved safety or equipment defects

Records and evidence

• Vehicle check records (daily inspections and defects).
• Scanned pick/putaway and route transaction logs in warehouse management systems.
• Equipment inspection records for forklifts and PPE.
• Risk assessment records and any raised HSE escalation entries.
• Handover reports capturing outstanding loads, delays and customer handover details.
• Stock records.

Reporting relationship

Typically reports to Warehouse Manager or Shift Supervisor. Confirm the employer's actual reporting structure in the builder.

Authority and escalation

• May operate only employer-authorised forklifts, move loads within assigned routes and update warehouse management systems. They may log defects and suspend use of unsafe equipment but must escalate equipment defects, unsafe load decisions, safeguarding-type disclosures or unresolved safety incidents to the site manager or project manager for approval or remedial action. The Employee must not reassign routes, approve service changes, or alter customer invoices or pricing.
• Obtain approval before committing expenditure, changing contractual commitments or making regulated or staffing decisions outside the assigned role.

Tools and systems

• Warehouse management systems.
• Scanners.
• Stock handling equipment.
• Picking equipment.

Workplace context

• Warehouse, depot, goods-in, dispatch and approved stock-handling areas.

Training and certification

• Complete employer-required health and safety training.

Contract priorities

• Keep vehicle check records and equipment inspections current and report defects immediately
• Record pick/putaway, route and handover transactions in the warehouse management system at time of work
• Suspend use of unsafe equipment and escalate equipment defects or unsafe load decisions to the site manager or project manager
• Protect customer, route, tracking, stock and incident records, and use scanners and systems only for authorised work purposes
• Raise delays, damaged goods, safeguarding-type disclosures and regulatory safety concerns promptly

Information the employer should prepare

• the site truck types and attachments
• the loads bays and traffic routes
• the competence authorisation and checks
• the battery fuel fire and spill controls
• the shift loading and defect process