The rise of internet shopping over the years has fuelled huge growth in the use of materials handling equipment across the supply chain.
So it comes as no surprise that, along with greater automation, there has been a corresponding rise in the number of forklift and warehouse truck operators creating a series of fresh challenges for management. As a supervisor you need to ensure that all those involved are appropriately trained.
Conversion training
As operational demands change, operators may be required to drive different types of equipment for different tasks, but for those already equipped with basic skills, conversion training may prove the most-cost efficient option. Indeed, AITT has seen registrations for conversion courses grow by 11% in the past 12 months alone.
What about pedestrian-operated equipment?
Contrary to industry myths: HSE makes it clear: “Operators of pedestrian-operated trucks, ‘stand-on’ pallet trucks that do not lift materials for stacking, and straddle carriers, will also need training.”
Refresher training and re-assessment
Although there is no fixed period for refresher training, most experts favour a 3-5 year timeframe with some degree of ongoing assessment to help prioritise those in greatest need.
Formal re-assessment is likely to be needed where truck operators:
•have not used trucks for some time
•are occasional users
•could have developed unsafe working practices
•have had an accident or near miss
•have changed their equipment or environment
What about new recruits and temporary workers?
Research shows that any worker is four times more likely to be involved in an accident in the first month of their employment.
It’s vital, therefore, to provide a new agency worker the same duty of care as a long-standing employee.
To ensure new operators are prepared for working safely on your premises you need to:
1)Check their certificate, including when it was issued and for what type of equipment
2)Assess current skill levels to identify whether additional training is needed
3)Deliver the three 3 key elements of training: basic, job specific and familiarisation
4)Avoid misunderstandings by using written authorisation for permission to operate a forklift
What is accredited training?
AITT is a nationally recognised accrediting body for workplace transport training. Using the guidance set out in the HSE Approved Code of Practice for rider-operated lift trucks (ACoP L117), AITT publishes guidance for the training of materials handling equipment operators, instructors, tutors and examiners.
Using a training provider that has been accredited by an organisation such as AITT provides some assurance that the training will be delivered to the standard described in L117. It also ensures consistency and continuity by delivering the same training across different sites.
For more information visit www.aitt.co.uk
Liam Knight
Managing Director
Comments are closed.