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Forklifts are essential tools in any warehouse or distribution business. They are also one of the leading causes of accidents and injuries in said job sites. Therefore, you need to constantly refresh your staff’s training on the safe and efficient handling of forklifts. This article discusses the need for ongoing forklift training.
What is forklift training?
Forklift training imparts skills for an operator to safely and efficiently use a forklift. Such safe and efficient operation requires the operator to understand the intricacies of the forklift and be familiar with how different forklift makes and models function. Such training also covers the function of each knob, pedal, lever, and other parts of the forklift. A well-trained forklift operator understands the machine’s weight limits, can determine its working condition, assess it for damages and when to replace certain parts, and can tell if the environment suits a particular forklift before commencing work.
What are the benefits of forklift training?
While training benefits the operators and your business, note that it is a requirement by law to ensure all your forklift operators receive such training. You can only be certain of the training when you rely on the services of professional forklift trainers.
A safe workplace
Well-trained and certified forklift operators understand how to operate the forklift safely and avoid injuring others in the vicinity or damaging property. Safety in any workplace is critical, especially in high-risk areas such as warehouses. Industry regulations are more stringent in such scenarios, where you need to be more vigilant and ensure the training is top-notch. It is better when you consider the fallout from employees getting injured or dying or damaging a significant portion of your premises or goods.
Avoid damaging the forklifts
A poorly trained forklift operator, or one without formal training, is bound to misuse the forklift, damaging it in the process. Through training, a forklift operator understands how the machine works and how to use it well. Therefore, the operator will avoid instances of overloading, speeding, bumping into objects, ignoring warning signs for repairs, and generally respecting their equipment. Such appreciation of the forklift’s capabilities and limits and conscious use significantly lower instances of repairs and replacements.
Overall organisation efficiency
Well-trained staff will use the forklifts as intended, minimise instances of damage, and prevent losses and accidents. This translates to more efficiency in your operations, which increases the company’s profitability.
Forklift training gives you a confident workforce
Attaining industry standards regarding competency in forklift operations boosts your employees’ confidence. Such reassurance further increases their efficiency and keeps them alert to potential hazards in their workplace. Work in high-risk areas such as warehouses proceeds at the expected rate only if your staff feel they are up to the task. Forklift training is the most practical way to impart such confidence.
Regular forklift maintenance
A deeper understanding of a forklift’s functioning and the required operational standards will make your staff more sensitive to telling when the machine needs maintenance work. Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule may seem costlier, but you’ll make significant savings in the long run. Properly functioning forklifts will break down less, needing fewer repairs and replacement parts, thus enabling you to realise the full return on your investments.
Conclusion
You cannot afford to let untrained or poorly trained staff operate your forklifts. Additionally, basic training is not enough because they may forget the right operational procedures, encounter new forklift models, or the work environment may change. Therefore, you need to schedule new and ongoing forklift training, which is also a legal requirement in your industry. Get in touch today and let us create a suitable training schedule for your business.