Why forklift training

Skip to content. Here are the most common causes of forklift accidents: Poorly Trained Drivers — Lack of knowledge and training on the proper forklift safety protocols for carrying loads is an accident waiting to happen. Also, a set of new inventories, obstacles, and changes in the floor gradient can often result in problems in an inexperienced driver.

Faulty Equipment — Operators need to check for any signs of mechanical problems before driving the vehicle. Also, regular maintenance and repair should be carried out to ensure good working performance.

Lack of parts and the use of improper attachments and accessories often result in accidents and injuries. Make sure that the attachments and accessories are properly secured to prevent detaching during operations.

Fix, replace, or repair faulty parts before using the machine. Speeding — Seasoned operators may become too comfortable when driving a forklift. Sometimes, years of driving can make them irresponsible drivers, assuming there is no danger in driving faster than the recommended speed. As a forklift operator, keep in mind that a forklift is designed to lift and transport heavy materials from one point to another and not for speed.

The OSHA recommended speed limit for driving a forklift is five miles per hour. Driving with an Elevated Load — This problem often leads to workplace accidents. OSHA recommends carrying loads approximately four inches from the floor. Insufficient Markings — Marking forklift zones and placing highly visible floor markings is an effective way to prevent accidents where both forklift and foot traffic are present.

This helps people know they are walking through a forklift zone and need to watch out for heavy machinery. Reflective floor tapes also help forklift operators in warehouses to follow the right traffic in the workplace. Reducing forklift accidents helps boost production.

Employing certified forklift operators ensures minimal risk of mishaps and injuries in the workplace. The more familiar forklift operators are with the heavy equipment, the more chances of them to spot and solve problems before they arise.

Forklifts can be dangerous when operated without the proper training. Reduce the chance of injury by properly training every employee who operates your lift trucks.

Inexperienced forklift operators can cause damage to the equipment, both through improper maintenance and through accidents. Inexperienced forklift operators may damage goods as well as machine while moving them with a lift truck.

Such damages may seem tiny, but they can add up over time. And if you have hired equipment from a forklift rental Houston Company, they would definitely need their machines as good as new. When lift truck operators are familiar with their equipment, the overall productivity of your operation augments. Forklift operator training teaches operators good practices that will help avoid accidents and damage. When your lift trucks are properly operated and serviced, the life of the machine will be extended.

Good forklift training will decrease, or even avert, accidents from happening at the site of the job. It will also train operators or non-operators on how to deal with elevated loads that can possibly tip the forklift over. Through the training you will be able to prevent tip-over accidents by keeping the load as low as possible. An important thing to note is that a lot of fatalities which result due to the operator or driver jumping from the forklift as it were tipping over.

A word of caution — do not ever jump from a tipping over forklift! If the forklift starts to tip, just stay with the vehicle! Your chances of surviving while staying in the forklift buckled up are much, much greater than jumping off it. Forklift truck drivers should have forklift training. These vehicles need to be manoeuvrable, and are designed to be compact, with a very small turning circle.

When they are carrying heavy loads, they become unstable. A standard two-tonne forklift with a full load can weigh approximately five tonnes. Forklifts can often be involved in incidents. This is because of their lowerFstability, combined with their manoeuvrability and working alongside human traffic. Pedestrians can be struck by a forklift or its load.

Still not convinced that your employees should be certified? Here are the top 5 reasons to invest in forklift training:. If there is an incident involving forklifts where the driver has not been given substantial safety training, there can be huge consequences. Read more here. Many safety bodies claim that forklifts are officially the most dangerous form of workplace transport in the country.

Sending your staff for forklift training can significantly reduce those statistics. The cost of forklift accidents can be far more than just the safety of those involved. Forklifts that are involved in accidents need to be repaired. This costs money and time.