Monthly Archives: January 2016

Unfortunately we cannot control or predict the actions of others. Creating a safe working environment and promoting general awareness around the safety of forklift operations often helps reduce the number of accidents within the workplace.

At InLine Forklift Training we have many years’ experience of working with forklift operators’ helping to reduce workplace accidents and too keep your operators and workers safe. We have put together a few sensible precautions that forklift truck operators can take to help minimise the risk of accidents within the workplace:

1. Ensure forklift operators are completing pre use checks to the equipment they are using. Properly maintained equipment equals a safer working environment from everyone and reduces the risk of accidents.

2. As part of your pre use checks ensure that the forklift trucks Horn and Klaxon are working and can be heard by your colleagues. These important safety devices should never be switched off.

3. Take care when operating forklift trucks. Make sure you are operating at a speed consistent to the working environments and within the designated areas. Never cut across pedestrian walkways and always use the lift trucks horn at blind corners.

4. Stay alert whilst using any material handling equipment. Many accidents can be avoided by maintain good all round observations at all times. Never use mobile devices whilst operating a lift truck.

5. When working with delivery drivers whether internal or external, make sure that you are both aware of what the other is doing. Clear communication is key to getting the job done safely.

Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 states that: ‘Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using work equipment, any risks which such use may entail; and precautions to be taken’.

The PUWER regulations clearly state employers that use of forklift trucks within their workplace must ensure that those who operate them are correctly trained.

As well as forklift training being a legal requirement there are also valid safety and commercial reasons for ensuring that operators of forklift trucks are properly trained. For example damage to goods, buildings and the forklift truck itself all have financial implication to your business. Its fact…. skilled operators have fewer accidents, greater productivity, creating a safer working environment.

InLine Forklift Training provide a wide range of courses to help employers of forklift truck operators to stay safe and legal. Contact us today to receive your FREE no obligation quote.