Digital Forklift Checks Launch Amid Warnings over Safety Standards
Published on 07/06/2026 at 10:15 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A new digital platform from Wosatec went live in early July, designed to handle the mandatory checks on industrial trucks entirely online. The system documents inspections according to DGUV Regulation 68 and FEM Guideline 4.004, aiming to streamline the statutory test cycles and boost legal certainty for companies.
But the move toward digitization comes as industry experts clash over whether safety rules are being diluted. The TÜV association issued a stark warning in early July: any weakening of existing inspection requirements would be dangerous. The current level of protection in workplaces must be maintained, it said. The debate centers on electrical safety checks under DGUV Regulation 3 and the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV).
The debate over inspection requirements highlights how easily gaps in documentation can leave employers exposed. Many organisations underestimate this risk until it's too late. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to help document hazards and stay compliant with safety regulations. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Forklift Driver Training Booms as Employers Scramble for Certified Staff
Across Germany, demand for certified forklift operators is soaring. Training courses follow the DGUV guideline 308-001 and range from in-person sessions to hybrid formats. Hamburg is hosting a four-day basic training course starting at the end of August, priced at €474.24 gross. Places tend to fill up fast—a clear indicator of the pressing need.
A different model is offered in Moers: online theory combined with on-site practical training. Depending on prior experience, the course lasts between one and five days and costs around €189. For the mandatory annual refresher training under DGUV-I 208-004, providers are increasingly turning to web-based solutions. The TÜV NORD Akademie offers it for roughly €41.
The certification boom isn't limited to forklifts alone. Nitrochemie Aschau, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall, plans to restart apprenticeships for warehouse logistics specialists starting September 2027. The three-year program offers tiered pay: €1,201 in the first year and €1,346 in the third.
First Aid and IT Security Become Mandatory Workplace Training
Beyond driving skills, compliance requirements are expanding. First aid training remains a cornerstone: in offices at least five percent of employees must be certified, with a higher ratio required in warehouses. Certificates are valid for two years.
The EU's NIS2 directive adds another layer of obligation for critical infrastructure operators. Annual staff training on data security and mobile working is now planned. Crucially, company management faces personal liability and must attend regular further education sessions. Standardized templates for driving orders and operating instructions are available to help firms organize internal transport in a legally compliant way.
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