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If you’ve been on any job site or warehouse, you know the real workhorse is the forklift. It handles product transport, keeping the operations moving like clockwork. That is, of course, assuming the forklift drivers have had the operator training needed.
What happens if they haven’t been properly trained to use the forklift? What happens if they were put in the forklift and it was assumed they could work it out by trial and error?
You probably already know the answer if your forklift drivers don’t have forklift operator training. This is heavy specialized equipment and without the proper training, it’s an accident waiting to happen. Your warehouse or job site is ripe for an unfortunate incident. Your forklift also takes a beating because the operator isn’t skilled
On top of the risks, you’re non-OSHA compliant which can lead to fines and removal from job sites.
Read on to learn about the many benefits of getting your forklift operators OSHA certified. Forklift operator training will keep your employees and equipment safe and lead to greater productivity.
One of the biggest benefits of forklift operator training is the safety it provides for workers. Forklifts can be dangerous if you don’t know how to properly operate them.
Operators need to understand how the center of gravity works. They don’t want to pick up a load that is not properly loaded on a pallet. If they carry a load that isn’t secured it can lead to accidents. Forklifts can tip if the load isn’t loaded evenly and then lifted too high.
The list of possible things that can go wrong if an operator doesn’t know what they are doing is long. While it’s not desirable, the equipment can be replaced. Human life cannot. You don’t want to be the boss who has a terrible accident, injury or death because the operator was knowledgeable enough about operating the equipment.
Forklift operator training offers a great return on investment in a few ways.
When you invest in the training needed for your workers, you get the return from their efficiency and the equipment holding up better because of better use practices.
In materials handling and operations the forklift is a workhorse. You rely on it to run your warehouse and keep things moving along efficiently. When the forklift breaks down, especially if you only have one or a few, it can be devastating.
Businesses are always looking for ways to trim costs. You might be surprised to learn how forklift operator training can actually reduce your insurance premiums.
When you go to get insurance, you can show your insurance carrier that your operators are OSHA certified. Often they will provide a discount because of the certification.
You also have fewer accidents and injuries. You are required to carry worker’s compensation insurance for your workers. You don’t want to be the workplace that is riddled with accidents and therefore claims on that insurance. The fewer claims you need to make, the more likely you get better rates.
Greater productivity from forklift operator training might seem obvious. But this is a huge benefit to spending the money to get your employees trained correctly.
Let’s face it, it’s the law. OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government expects you to run a safe work environment. OSHA has established rules and regulations related to the operation of forklifts. They expect you to comply with those rules and regulations.
As an employer, you have a responsibility to run a safe work environment. You must create standards and practices that not only adhere to OSHA standards, but also create a norm of safety.
You are ultimately liable for worker safety. When you train your workers to use the forklifts properly, you reduce the risk of a workplace accident or injury from occurring. You also lower your liability if something does go wrong because you can show you have done the right thing and had your workers trained.
Nobody wants to come to work in a place that is perceived as not safe. No worker wants to feel like they are in danger when they come to work. It’s stressful and unhealthy. When workers feel stress and anxiety, the chances of an accident happening increase. By getting the correct training, workers feel safer. They know the correct way to run the equipment and they know they are in a safe environment.
There are a number of ways forklift operator training creates financial savings for your business.
You also don’t have to worry about being out of compliance with OSHA standards, getting fines or being shut down because of a workplace safety issue.
For many reasons, getting your employees’ forklift operator training is smart, cost-effective, and increases the productivity and safety of your workplace. You don’t want to be the boss who is responsible for knowing a terrible accident causing injury or death has happened on your watch. You also want your business to run with the utmost efficiency and getting your workers trained helps to make that happen.
Contact us today or give us a call at 866-393-9833 for more information about forklift operator training. We can get you started right away.
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