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Telescopic Handler (Telehandler) Operations Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your telehandler model, boom reach, load type and site conditions. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering extending boom hazards, load charts, tipping risk, uneven ground and overhead power lines in minutes.
Used by construction contractors, farms, plant hire firms and event and show organisers across the UK
⚡ Working near overhead power lines or on uneven ground? Mention it — we'll include HSE GS6 exclusion distances, load-chart controls at full boom extension, and stability precautions for the specific site conditions you describe.
Legal requirements for telehandler operations
Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before telescopic handler operations take place. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require that operators are adequately trained and that the equipment is suitable for the task, while the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require that lifting operations are properly planned by a competent person, that lifting equipment is thoroughly examined, and that load charts and safe working loads are observed at all times.
Telehandlers present distinct hazards not present in standard forklift operations: an extending boom that shifts the centre of gravity and load capacity as reach increases, a greater risk of overturning on sloped, soft or uneven ground, and a significantly higher risk of contact with overhead power lines given the boom's reach and height. HSE data shows that overturning and overhead line contact are among the leading causes of serious and fatal incidents involving mobile plant on construction and agricultural sites.
A written risk assessment documenting these boom-specific, terrain-specific and site-specific controls is expected by principal contractors, plant hire companies, farms and event organisers, and is required to demonstrate compliance during an HSE inspection. Anyrisks assessments reference PUWER 1998, LOLER 1998 and the relevant HSE guidance by name.
How it works
1. Describe the operation
Tell us the telehandler model, maximum boom reach, load type, attachments in use, and site conditions — construction site, farmland, or an outdoor event or show ground. Mention any overhead power lines or sloping ground.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant telehandler risk assessment referencing PUWER 1998, LOLER 1998 and relevant HSE guidance on boom, stability and overhead line hazards.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your site manager, plant hire company or event safety officer, or file it for HSE compliance purposes. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every telehandler risk assessment is written in full — covering boom, load, terrain and site-specific hazards.
Extending boom hazards and reduced stability at extended reach
Load chart compliance — safe working load at reach and height
Overturning and tipping risk on uneven or sloping ground
Overhead power line contact — HSE GS6 exclusion distances
Ground-bearing capacity and use on soft or temporary ground
Outrigger and stabiliser use where fitted
Attachment-specific controls — forks, buckets, bale grabs, man cages
LOLER 1998 requirements for lifting persons in a man-riding cage
Operator training and certification — NPORS/CPCS requirements
Banksman and exclusion zone controls around the public
Pre-use inspection and thorough examination records
Weather conditions — wind speed limits for boom operations
Reversing and visibility — blind spots and pedestrian segregation
PUWER 1998 and LOLER 1998 compliance throughout
Works for
From construction sites to agricultural yards and outdoor events, Anyrisks covers every telehandler application.
What customers say
"We hire telehandlers onto every job and each site has different ground conditions. Anyrisks covered the load chart, the sloping compound and the overhead line running along the boundary — exactly what our site manager needed."
Dean R.
Groundworks contractor, Yorkshire
"We run a telehandler year-round for bale handling and yard work. This gave me a proper written assessment covering the boom stability and terrain risks, not just a generic forklift form."
Helen T.
Farm owner, Cumbria
"We use telehandlers to lift marquee frames and staging at every show we build. The assessment covered exclusion zones around the public and the man-cage work — our safety officer signed it off straight away."
Marcus O.
Event build manager, Midlands
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| PUWER 1998 and LOLER 1998 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Boom extension and load chart hazards addressed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Overhead power line and GS6 exclusion distances included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers uneven, sloped and temporary ground conditions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Attachment-specific controls (cage, bucket, forks) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Is a risk assessment a legal requirement for telehandler operations?
Yes. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before allowing telescopic handler (telehandler) operations. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) also apply whenever a telehandler is used to lift a load.
How is a telehandler risk assessment different from a forklift risk assessment?
Telehandlers have an extending boom, which introduces load-chart and reach-dependent stability hazards, tipping risk on uneven or sloped ground, and a much higher risk of contact with overhead power lines than a standard counterbalance forklift. Our telehandler assessment addresses these boom-specific and terrain-specific hazards directly, rather than treating it as a generic forklift.
Do I need to include load charts and capacity data?
Yes. Describe the make and model, maximum lift capacity, and boom extension range, and the assessment will reference the manufacturer's load chart and require operators to check safe working load at the relevant reach and height before every lift, in line with LOLER 1998 Regulation 8.
Does it cover use on agricultural shows and event sites?
Yes. Mention that the telehandler will be used on temporary or outdoor event ground, an agricultural show site, or uneven farmland, and the assessment will include controls for soft or sloping ground, ground-bearing capacity, exclusion zones around the public, and outrigger/stabiliser use where fitted.
Are overhead power lines addressed?
Yes. Overhead power line contact is one of the most common causes of serious and fatal telehandler incidents. If you mention overhead lines are present on site, the assessment will include HSE Guidance Note GS6 exclusion distances, goalposts, banksman requirements and permit-to-work controls.
Does the operator need to be trained and certified?
Operators must hold appropriate training such as an NPORS or CPCS card for the telehandler category and attachment being used. The assessment will state this training requirement and reference the employer's duty under Regulation 9 of PUWER 1998 to ensure operators are adequately trained.
Can it cover attachments like fork extensions, buckets and man cages?
Yes. List the attachments in use — pallet forks, muck buckets, bale grabs, or a man-riding cage/basket — and the assessment will include attachment-specific controls, including the additional LOLER requirements that apply when using a telehandler with a man cage for work at height.
How long does it take to generate?
Under two minutes. Describe your telehandler model, site conditions, load types and attachments, and Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced risk assessment ready to download as PDF and Word.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · AI Risk Assessment Generator