top ten tips TO IMPROVE REACH TRUCK SAFETY

2. Use the correct truck for the application – One reason that there are so many distinct types of material handling equipment available is that some machines are better suited to certain tasks than others. Employers and operators should ensure that where a reach truck is being used, that it is the correct type for the environment and situation where it is working.
3. Be ‘fit’ to operate the truck safely – It should be obvious that operators should never use a reach truck if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, this also includes strong medicines that may cause drowsiness. Operators that are unwell or overtired should avoid operating this type of equipment to ensure safety.
4. Prioritise awareness – Awareness of the working environment is always the first line of defence against incidents. Operators should be trained to always pay close attention to what is going on around them. Phones or handheld devices should not be operated when an operator is in control of a reach truck. And operators that need to wear glasses should always remember to do so when operating the equipment.
5. Know the signs – Operations differ in terms of traffic flows so operators should not only be aware of the site-specific rules, but should also maintain an awareness of safety signs, traffic lights, signals, and speed limits. Where there are none, operators should make use of hand signals, safety lights, audible warning devices and verbal communication to make their intentions clear to those around them to support safety.
6. Remember – the forks are sacred! – The forks of a reach truck are only there to do the tasks they have been specifically designed for. It is extremely dangerous to let passengers ride on the reach truck or the forks. Operators should never lift anyone on the forks, on any attachment, or on the pallet, or allow anyone to mount these. Likewise, no-one should ever stand or walk under raised fork arms, even if the truck is unladen.
7. Be aware of pedestrians – Pedestrians are highly vulnerable in workplace transport operations and are too often involved in incidents involving materials handling equipment. So, if there may be pedestrians in the area, reach truck operators must always drive slowly, carefully, and responsibly, even if they cannot see other people in the vicinity. Operators should keep an eye out for pedestrians appearing from blind spots, such as doorways or parked vehicles, and be prepared to make an emergency stop if needed.
8. Be transparent about incidents – It is important for businesses to create a culture where incidents and near misses are reported openly. Even if no damage or injury resulted, it is vital to know about these events to take action to reduce future risk. If there is an incident, operators should be trained how to check that their truck is undamaged and functional before attempting to return to work, and to know what the procedure is should they identify and faults or damage.
9. Take a break! The supply chain is under huge pressure now, with many staff working long hours. However, sitting and operating a reach truck from the same position for extended periods can lead to musculoskeletal problems and injuries. Ensure that operators take regular breaks and are encouraged to stretch and move around wherever possible. Otherwise, eventually, musculoskeletal disorders can equate to many lost working days in the operation.
10. Make safety guidelines available – Good, professional practice is key to preventing incidents in the workplace, so it is helpful for operators to have easy access to clear safety guidance whenever they need it. The RTITB Reach Truck Operator’s Safety Code is a convenient booklet and reference tool that enables reach truck operators to check in and refresh their skills and knowledge regularly and helps them make sound judgments in the common situations they encounter in the workplace. 

ABC – Any job – better job – career

There is a national shortage of forklift drivers, and there are lots of opportunities in the Southwest of England currently for forklift operators. Companies are willing to take on newly trained operators more than ever before, so your new skills can quickly enable you to take control of your future.

We believe in ABC – Any job – Better job – Career.

• Any job for a new novice forklift truck driver is worth taking because it provides you with invaluable experience
• Once you have some experience under your belt you can look for a better job because you know have a track record as a forklift driver
• Once established in that better job you can start to build a career with further training and promotions

By investing in yourself, you can improve your self-worth which leads to a sense of achievement and personal growth. It doesn’t matter what stage of your life you are at, and it doesn’t really matter if your life’s ambition is to be a forklift truck driver or even to go on with further training to eventually become the trainer yourself, the fact is that training is truly the best way to improve your life.

Training gives you personal confidence and the satisfaction of knowing that not only have you got the qualification and the bit of paper that says you have done it, but you also have the knowledge that you applied yourself, made a decision and stuck with it until you obtained the end result.

It’s not so much where you end up, but every day taking all those little baby steps that add up to one giant leap for the improvement of your life.

Here at Key Performance Training, we can give you the new skills to make you a much more valuable proposition to any new potential employer, putting you in the driving seat, quite literally!

DOES YOUR MHE ATTACHMENT NEED ITS OWN INSPECTION

“We also have concerns about the quality and scope of many inspection regimes. It seems that very few providers of Thorough Examinations employ dedicated, comprehensive checklists that will ensure an attachment has been properly inspected. Moreover, the problem is further compounded by the bewildering variety of attachments in UK workplaces.”

According to UKMHA (UK Materials Handling Association) there are at least 22 different types of attachment in use, but that number expands dramatically when the many different manufacturer models and variants are taken into account.

As for what needs testing and when, the rules are clear but not widely known.

According to HSE guidelines, fixed attachments such as side-shifts and rotator arms are considered to be part of the lifting mechanism and therefore must be included within a Thorough Examination of the vehicle that meets the requirements of both LOLER and PUWER. They do not require a separate inspection.

However, non-permanent attachments such as platforms must be inspected by a competent person at least twice a year (which could be more often than the actual truck to which they are fitted).

In either case, failure to comply could lead to prosecution by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive).

“In order to ensure that our own CFTS-accredited inspection schedule for non-permanent attachments was truly fit for purpose, we worked in close cooperation with leading manufacturers and distributors of attachments,” adds Geoff. “The result is a unique, 18-point checklist specifically for non-permanent attachments, that takes full account of what constitutes a Thorough Examination for items as diverse as booms, winches, platforms, grabbers, fork extensions and cranes.

“It’s up to employers to make sure that all aspects of their materials handling equipment are being inspected to the standards required by the HSE. If you are in any doubt, talk to your current provider and make sure the checklists they use are appropriate for both the equipment as a whole… and for any attachments.”

The sudden failure of a boom or a winch could have disastrous consequences, which is why it is so important to make sure each Thorough Examination is truly thorough. If you need guidance, your local CFTS-accredited provider will be happy to give advice on what needs to be inspected and when. They have a nationwide network of over 750 accredited depots so there will certainly be someone nearby to you.

Our Upcoming Open Course Dates

To see the course outlines, please see our website – https://keyperformancetraining.co.uk/

Positive Impact Award Finalist 2023

We believe that everyone has the right to employment, and if you are willing to learn, then we are willing to help you do that. By developing these partnerships, we’ve helped lots of people turn their lives around, and we’ve helped provide them with dignity, opportunity and set them on the first step towards a rewarding career.

We’ve booked our tickets for the final, which is in London in December, so for everyone that has been a part of our journey, thank you and we’ll keep you posted on how we do.

If you’re looking to kickstart your career, or need to ensure your business is compliant, have a look at our courses on the website – https://keyperformancetraining.co.uk/

National Forklift Safety Day 

The most common fatal industrial accident constitutes falls from height, accounting for 29 of the total number of deaths in the period. The second most common fatal industrial accident involved people being struck by a moving vehicle, followed by people being struck by a flying/falling object, contact with machinery and then trapped by something collapsing or overturning.

The risks associated with such incidents could be reduced if correct risk assessments are carried out, along with improved operator training and supervision, increased use of safety infrastructure and automation.

“Anyone with a stake in this important industry will recognise the importance of keeping workers safe and we hope National Forklift Safety Day will encourage more organisations to audit their safety protocols to ensure they remain compliant at all times” said David Goss, Technical Director of UKMHA (UK Material Handling Association).

Have you or your drivers had adequate forklift training?  Do you have records to show what training they have had and that it’s in date? Would you be confident that in the event of an incident, you could provide evidence of that training and that it was sufficient and compliant?  Have you had some near misses involving operators driving poorly?

There are lots of training companies and trainers out there offering courses, but the quality of that training can vary greatly. To ensure that any training you invest in is of a high standard and is HSE compliant, then you should use an accredited training company.  Our RTITB accreditation ensures that our training is legally compliant, of a high standard and operators only pass our courses if they are competent to do operate.

We offer a huge range of forklift training courses in our centre, or we can come to you to deliver training at your site.  Please see our forklift training webpage – https://keyperformancetraining.co.uk/flt-courses-rtitb-forklift-training-swindon-and-nationwide-counterbalance-reach-bendi-telescopic/#

If you want to ensure that you or your organisation are compliant and if you take the safety of those who operate on and around forklift trucks seriously, then contact to us about how our accredited training can help you.

Saturday training now available

We’ve been repeatedly asked if we can offer Saturday training, because people struggle to get the time off work in the week, so we’ve listened and are now able to offer refresher courses on Saturdays.  We can even train you on two trucks in a single day on a Saturday!

There is such high demand in the South West for experienced operators, so there are some great opportunities out there now for highly paid jobs with sociable hours.  We have links with the local job agencies and can put you in touch with the best people to help you find that next step in your career.

Perhaps you allowed your certificate to lapse because you found other work. Perhaps you just fancy a change in career.  Whatever your reasons, an up-to-date RTITB certificate can open doors for you.

And because we know times are difficult right now, we’ve decided not to charge a weekend rate for this, so our normal prices are being held – £155 plus VAT per certificate.  We hope this helps everyone a little in these tough times.

If you’d like more information about the course itself, please see here