Forklifts serve as indispensable
components in warehouse industry and in every material handling facility. Their
proper operation is vital for productivity and profitability of any enterprise
that requires proper material handling. It won't be wrong to say that the
entire warehouse industry rides on them. Therefore, flawless handling of forklifts
is very important when it comes to ensuring a safe and productive industry.
We think that operating a forklift
properly is the key to a safe industry. Well, think again. An improperly
maintained forklift can cause accidents as well. Inadequate pre-operation
inspection, callously followed
maintenance guidelines and not giving due attention to system check can
cause collisions and ergonomic problems leading to injuries. A workplace injury
means loss of valuable time, resources and threat to valuable lives of workers.
Even though there are many safety procedures to follow, we have summed them up
in 3 key safety tactics to follow before going for forklift operation:
Proper Forklift training and Licensing
from a Recognized Authority.
No, you cannot operate a forklift
without a formal training and licensing in the same. It is mandated by Ministry
Of Labour and training guidelines are laid out by OHSA. So it's important to
receive complete practical and theoretical training from a well recognized
Forklift Training and Licensing provider such as CN Lift Safety institute based in Brampton before
you lay your hands on a forklift. And studies have shown that properly trained
workforce can reduce workplace accidents by a great margin. There are
institutes that provide off-site training on corporations' site. If OHSA's
guidelines are not followed, fine imposed by OHSA on non-compliant corporation
is a whopping $500,000. Need any more reason?
Complete Compliance to Training Regime.
Why forklift operator training is
important you ask? Because during forklift training, proper safety guidelines
and procedures are foremost instructed to participants. And these safety
guidelines are what operators keep in mind when they actually enter the field
or workplace. As they say, practice makes a man perfect. Operators learn how to
properly balance weights, load shifting, pre-operation inspection checklists,
system check and proper maneuvering of forklift in difficult corners. Apart
from that, participants are taught regarding the pedestrian safety and about how
to safeguard ones who work around them and with them. All these things play a
pivotal role in ensuring workplace safety.
How to Choose the Right Model
The type of equipment you choose and
buy depends largely on the nature of your work and the types of loads one has
to handle. Forklifts vary according to the load and type of industry. So be
clear while choosing a forklift model. And always vouch for the latest and
safest models when it comes to buying a forklift. Take a thorough survey of
entire fleet and see which model you need the most. You must consider
parameters such as load types and aisle widths and buy your equipments
accordingly.
This however just a brief overview of
the safety procedures. To ensure a safe workplace, make sure that workforce is properly
trained and proficient in operating all types of forklifts.
