Forklift Safety: Why Forklift Training Matters
December 30, 2013 · by Ten Medina
Forklifts are an integral part of industrial work. These vehicles are instrumental in moving, lifting, carrying and delivering load to any point in a facility or site efficiently and safely – that is, if proper equipment is being used correctly.
A forklift is an extremely powerful machine, and it doesn’t take much for damage, injury, or loss of life to occur. With forklift fatalities occurring in almost every industry that deals with manufacturing, construction, mining, or transportation of materials, safety is and should be top priority.
Forklift safety tools such as safety posters and forklift accessories are helpful but only supplemental. A majority of these forklift accidents could have been prevented with proper forklift training, or just simply better training. This is why forklift training and certification is crucial to workplace safety.
Forklift training not only prevents accidents and injuries from happening, they can also benefit your company and the bottom line as well. Here are six more reasons why you should start your forklift training at work today:
It saves time. A trained and skilled operator will know what to do when using a forklift. This confidence from their training will mean they can speed up their work pace and can move heavy inventory faster. This saves time, increases productivity and maximizes the work done per man-hour.
It reduces risks. Forklift training teaches operators on how to safely navigate and operate a forklift, what dangers may arise, and what actions to take if any hazards come up. An untrained operator will not know these things, putting him or her at a higher risk for forklift accidents.
It lowers inventory loss. Inventory can get lost or damage from wrong handling when a forklift driver does not know how to safely operate the equipment. That is already lost money for your company. It may not seem much, but in the long run, these accumulated loss will be higher compared to the cost of getting your operators trained.
It contributes to machine maintenance. Workers who are trained in forklift handling are also educated on the proper way to take care and maintain the equipment. This includes knowing how to re-fill battery fluid and perform safety and equipment checks, which will in turn reduce costs on equipment repair and service. This will ensure that the machine will always be running at top form, with little or no risks of breakdown during important operation.
It increases productivity. Trained forklift operators will know how to operate the machine properly, which means they will be more efficient and productive. This increases the overall output of your company which can help you stay competitive and stand out from the rest. With more productivity, you can have the option of expanding your business and increasing your profit even further.
It lessens the risk of machine damage. Repair for damaged forklifts can cost your company a lot of money. A trained operator will ensure that the machines will not be broken due to mishandling.
Forklift training is vital for any company that puts priority on safety in the workplace. Employers and facility managers such as yourself should ensure all your employees receive adequate training and are aware of these forklift safety do’s and don’ts. Lastly, you need to make sure that your forklift operators are fully licensed and trained to do their jobs safely and effectively.
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Forklift Safety: Why Forklift Training Matters
