Forklift operator: training and medical fitness
Belgian regulations do not establish a general forklift operator license. The employer must verify training appropriate to the equipment and medical fitness for the safety-critical position.
Article IV.3-7, 1°, of the Wellbeing Code reserves the operation of self-propelled mobile equipment to workers trained in their safe operation. The operator holds a safety-critical position within the meaning of article I.4-1, § 2, 1°; occupational medicine confirms fitness.
A certificate issued by a training organization can document competencies, but the employment service does not require mandatory accreditation of these courses or a regulatory forklift license. In the job posting, specify the type of equipment and expected competency, then verify that training matches the assigned tasks.
The employment service recalls the general prohibition for students and the existence of framed exceptions for certain non-stacking low-lifting equipment. The reference date is the entry into force of the Code on June 12, 2017; it is not an update date for this page.