The Most Overlooked Aspects of Forklift Safety

One of the most important aspects when it comes to operating a forklift, and unfortunately, something that still is overlooked by some operators, is safety.

Forklift safety is a multifaceted challenge. It includes proper training, appropriate vehicle maintenance, using the right type of machine for the job as well as inspection of vehicle parts such as tyres, lights and signals. Without the proper maintenance and vehicle inspection, accidents are more likely to happen.

Consider, for example, forklift tyres. As with vehicles on the road, maintaining the condition of tyres and the appropriate inflation rate is an important aspect of safe operation. Maintaining tyres and assuring adequate inflation pays more dividends than simply good traction for any material-handling appliance. Here are other overlooked aspects of a forklift:

1) Environment – It is imperative to know what type of setting or terrain in which the forklift will be operated, especially if it has to transition from the confines of a warehouse to an outdoor setting where rough terrain is likely. This is when the functionality of your forklift as well as safety awareness comes into play.

Operating a forklift on rough terrain may require specific hardware, such as forklift tyres specifically composed with higher durability to last longer and endure the elements. Certain tyres are manufactured for indoor settings, while some are made for rough terrain or outdoor settings. It is key to know which of these apply to your vehicle and install the appropriate tyres.

Forklift operators also should be trained in manoeuvring over rough terrain and be aware of slopes, dips and narrow holes and how they might contribute to tip overs and rollovers.

2) Types of tyres – There are three distinct varieties of tyres, each with their own benefits: pneumatic, rubber and polyurethane. Pneumatic tires are ideal for heavy lift operations and designed for durability. Rubber tyres are the premier choice for interior operations but are more susceptible to pop or deflate compared to pneumatics. Finally, there are polyurethane tyres, which typically are used for electric forklifts and specialized material handling applications.

3) Turning radius – This focuses primarily on narrow-aisle material handling. In scenarios with tight mezzanines and densely packed facilities, having a forklift with the best turning radius can be a great aid in efficiency, safety and productivity.

4) New vs. used – This is the age-old question. There are benefits to acquiring new and used forklifts and forklift parts. Generally, a cost-benefit analysis of new versus used can provide the critical insights owners need to make the right decision for them.

In some cases, forklift operators and warehouse managers may want a tested, "veteran" forklift that previously has proved to be up to the task at hand. In other cases, purchasing a new forklift, knowing there is no accident history or concerns about improper maintenance, can provide some peace of mind for your operation.

5) Choosing the right power – Fuel, electric and diesel forklifts all vary in their potency and power. For heavy duty operations, fuel and diesel forklifts are optimal. Electric forklifts are more ideal for indoor operations and lighter lifting, while also slashing overhead costs. In addition, these devices are great in simple material handling operations such as utilisation of a pallet jack.

If more power is required, generally more resources are required and for the most rugged, taxing and intense operations, a diesel-fed forklift can be most useful due to its power and load capacity.

6) Forklift controls – Staff and employees should familiarise themselves with the control panel and dashboard of your forklifts. In many instances, failing to monitor the various gauges can result in damage to a forklift and has created problems for many material handling operations. In addition, failing to properly use the controls can increase the incidence of workplace accidents. To promote safety and productivity, learning the forklift controls can be a quick and easy way to achieve these goals.

www.ukforklifttrucktraining.co.uk

 Tom Reddon

The Importance Of Forklift Training

Forklift trucks are mainly used in industries to lift and move heavy materials from one place to another. In the recent years, forklifting technology has progressed tremendously. For companies who own these heavy machines, their maintenance is extremely important and beneficial in the long run. However, from hundreds and thousands of companies that purchase these lift trucks and bring them into day-to-day operation, most of them overlook the human factor associated with the same. The first and the foremost aspect about forklift safety relates to understanding the fact that these are very heavy and powerful machines. It does not take much for them to create havoc. As a result, the people operating these lift trucks need to be certified and trained properly.

The role played by an operator is the key behind ensuring proper and safe use of forklifts. Having properly certified and trained operators on-board becomes mandatory for the business owners. For those companies that have fast service dispatch, getting adversely affected by a lack of training is one dangerous issue that needs immediate attention. As well as imposed fines and penalties, there are various other reasons why business owners should have properly certified and trained forklift drivers employed. If the businesses already have lift truck drivers, they should be properly trained in regards to the safety operations and other aspects of the truck.

Time-saving

Properly trained and skilled drivers can move all kinds of heavy goods in a fast, steady and careful manner; thus, increasing the overall productivity and maximising the output per man-hour. This in itself is a major reason why these operators need to be trained properly.

Reduced Chance of Risk

Accidents are a part and parcel of forklift operations. With unskilled operators, the chances of accidents and other dangerous situations increase tremendously. While such accidents are certainly unfortunate, they can and should be avoided by giving proper training to the drivers. Tutoring the current operators should be the first and the foremost step in reducing the chances of accidental damage at the place of work. This can help a business retain its old and trusted employees at a lesser training cost, and will also add up to the market repute of the company.

Reduced Inventory Loss

If there haven’t been any accidents, there might have been some losses in the inventory due to the improper handling of goods by a forklift operator. The kinds of losses might not appear to be as costly at that moment, but can add up in the long run. The accumulated cost of such losses would be much more than getting the forklift operators trained.

Lesser Machine Damage

Trained and certified operators make sure that the machines are operated in a proper manner and are not mishandled. The damage can lead to some huge expenditure for the business. Training makes sure that the cost of repair is reduced by incurring a one-time training expense for the operators.

Better Maintenance of Forklifts

The trained operators can come handy in maintaining the machines in their proper working condition, all through the year. This reduces the cost of repairs and maintenance to a great extent. It also lessens the chances of breakdown during the day-to-day operations, while increasing the life of these machines.

Increased Confidence

Trained operators will have a higher level of confidence when operating a forklift. Training the current employees will make them feel satisfied and content, and will enhance the level of motivation to work better and in a focused manner.

Therefore, forklift training is one vital aspect of any business that aims at delivering quality and timely services to its clients and customers. It should not be considered to be a burden on the budget of the business. Rather, it is an aspect that can help a business perform better, keeping in mind the safety of the employees.

www.ukforklifttrucktraining.co.uk

 Erin Warbrook  - She is a strong advocate of getting professional forklift training for your staff for a safer and more efficient warehouse.

Forklift Truck Training

Onsite Forklift Truck Training

UK Forklift Truck Training is a professional training company specialising in ITSSAR accredited forklift training. Offering training on site at your company premises. It is owned and run by Dean Powell and his team who have over 26 years of experience in forklift truck training. We offer a competitively priced, friendly and professional service for all your forklift truck training requirements. Our training will enable your workers to drive confidently and safely, in turn helping you to reduce accidents in your workplace

We use the latest training techniques combining theory and practical exercises in accordance with Health & Safety Executive Guidelines and we continually achieve high success rates.

Forklift training on site has the advantage of operators being familiar with the actual equipment and types of loads they will be using in their daily working environment.   There is also no wasted travel time or expense for the delegates, or you.   The benefits for companies who invest in fork lift truck operator training far outweigh the cost of any training course.  Apart from meeting your health & safety obligations, a skilled workforce will result in a more efficient handling operation and less accidental damage.

All forklift truck training courses are offered on a maximum three delegates to one instructor ratio and we cater for all skill levels of operator on all types of trucks such as Counter Balance, Reach Truck, Pallet Truck, Pivot Steer. We provide courses for complete novices, semi-experienced operators, refreshers and conversion courses and up to three delegates of similar ability can be trained at the same time.   We can also provide bespoke courses to suit your exact site requirements

Non accredited training will be to exactly the same standard as accredited training but the operator will not be registered with the governing body (ITSSAR) or on TOPS (trained operator registration scheme).
You will still receive a certificate of training for the operator and all training records for the course attended. This will prove that you have still covered your responsibilities for adequate training under Health and Safety Law.
Non accredited training is an advantage if you want to cover your employees whilst working on your site; it is also more cost effective. A dis-advantage is that they will not be able to take the certification to another employer as it will not be recognised.

http://www.ukforklifttrucktraining.co.uk