Hundreds of businesses throughout the UK showed their commitment to fork lift truck safety by taking part in the Fork Lift Truck Association’s Go for Gold Challenge during National Fork Truck Safety Week.
With at least one worker hospitalised every day in an avoidable fork lift truck accident, the FLTA is delighted that so many companies participated, and in doing so demonstrated their awareness of the need for safety in all aspects of owning and operating fork lift trucks.
The challenge, which took the form of an online quiz, put companies through their paces to demonstrate their understanding of four key areas of fork lift truck safety: planning, training, maintenance and Thorough Examinations.
With a certificate awarded to any company achieving over 80%, and 15 months of free Safe User Group membership for the top ten companies overall, the response was overwhelming, with more than half of entrants reaching the ‘Gold Standard’.
FLTA Chief Executive, Peter Harvey MBE, said: “We are delighted, not only with the number of companies engaging with the ‘Go for Gold’ challenge, but with the levels of competency demonstrated.
“Also, it was encouraging to see that, despite materials handling being traditionally viewed as a predominantly male preserve, four of the top 10 scoring entrants were women.”
Results from the quiz will be used to help the Fork Lift Truck Association identify any gaps in safety knowledge, ensuring future safety events and resources can be tailored to meet the needs of employers.
Mr Harvey continues: “Without a doubt, the week was a huge success. However, it is important to remember that safety is an ongoing process. Over the last 10 years, we have worked hard to inform all those involved with fork lift trucks in any capacity and have seen the number of serious accidents involving fork lift trucks fall dramatically. However, it is only through constant vigilance and education that we will maintain this success.”
The Fork Lift Truck Association is the UK’s independent authority on fork lift trucks.
The Fork Lift Truck Association
Tel: 01635 277577
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