New Basic Operating Skills Test for Counterbalance and Reach
The Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) is very pleased to release the revised Basic Operating Skills Test for Counterbalance (B1) and Reach (D1 & D2) trucks.
It is not mandatory to implement the new test immediately, however the new test will need to be in use by training organisations from 1st September 2017. Any tests held on or after this date that do not use the new format will be invalid.
The ABA worked with a range of stakeholders, including training organisations, trade associations, insurers, unions, lift truck manufacturers and employers, to produce a test which more closely reflects the modern working environment and the needs of employers and industry at large. This is the first time the test has been updated since 2000.
We would strongly encourage everyone to read the new test in detail to ensure they are aware of all of the changes. Below are some of the key changes (please note this list is not finite):
13 of the 22 elements described in the pre-use inspection test have been deemed safety critical. The test candidate must carry out a full and correct check of these items, failure to do so will result in an automatic referral in this element of the test
Candidates will be disqualified from the practical skills test if they incur more than 3 (i.e. 4 or more) 5 point penalties in any one area.
A number of elements in the practical skills test have had their penalty award increased.
In the bank of multiple choice questions there are 5 mandatory questions. These must appear in every question paper. If a candidate gets any of the mandatory questions incorrect then the overall result of the association knowledge examination will be a referral (regardless of the overall score)
