Did you know that on average, 25% of workplace transport accidents are to do with lift trucks? Immediately, after seeing this statistic you would blame the operator, however one of the top causes of these accidents is down to poor/lack of supervision. “To reduce these accidents and comply with the law, those in these senior roles must be correctly trained too” states Laura Nelson, managing director of RTITB. www.rtitb.com
To help reduce these risks, our accredited training partner, RTITB have launched a new eLearning course for anyone who is ‘Managing or Supervising’ lift truck operators. The eLearning course, which can be accessed via mobile, PC, tablet or MAC includes sections on: Health and safety at work, Operational Experience and Qualification guidance, administrative responsibilities and much more. As an overview, the course is designed to enhance Manager and Supervisors understanding of material handling equipment operation whilst also expanding their knowledge.
By the end of the interactive training course, Managers and Supervisors will be able to promote safe working principles, challenge poor standards or issues, carry out effective observation, communicate effectively with operators and line managers. They will also feel confident in what their responsibilities are, as well as understand which parts of their role are required in order to comply with the industry legislation.
Here is why you should invest in the course:
It is a legal requirement under The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 that managers and supervisors are adequately trained.
Minimise operations risk.
Ensure managers and supervisors are fully aware of their role and what it entails.
Simple and cost-effective way to ensure your team is armed with the necessary knowledge.
We have partnered with RTITB, the UK’s leading accrediting body for forklift and plant operator training, to offer you new, secure, environmentally friendly electronic ID cards (the RTITB eCard), instead of the plastic ID cards offered by so many other accrediting bodies.
The brand new eCard – which launched on Monday 12th July 2021 – will see materials handling equipment (MHE) operators successfully completing our RTITB courses receive a digital ID card detailing their RTITB qualifications. The new eCards can be downloaded and stored in Apple Wallet (Apple smartphones) or Google Pay (Android smartphones) providing you supply your email address when training with us.
Information on your eCard will include:
Your photo (passport style)
Your name
Your RTITB registration number
RTITB logo
Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) logo
ABA truck code (where applicable)
Our company name and website address
Course title and QR code to easily verify you as the operator
With the new RTITB eCard, you will receive your proof of training quicker than ever before, thanks to an average four-hour delivery time (from RTITB to us). To ensure data security and give you assurance a unique verification code is sent to your designated email address so that only you can download your eCard from the web link we will provide you with.
If you have any questions or queries about eCard, the team at RTITB would be more than happy to answer your questions – simply email NORS_team@rtitb.com or learn more about eCard by clicking here.
If you’re ready to get started on an operator course with us, and receive a brand RTITB eCard following completion, contact us on david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk
Almost 1,000 workers in the UK are seriously injured every year in forklift accidents, according to the Forklift Truck Association. From load falls to tip-overs to pedestrian casualties, winter weather can make operating a forklift truck highly dangerous for even the most experienced drivers, not to mention extremely challenging. Even with modern technology and advanced machinery, snowy and icy conditions pose risks for all forklift truck operators. Here at Key Performance Training, we are a leading provider of training in the forklift industry, so we know how important it is to be fully equipped with the right knowledge and skills. Read our guide on improving forklift truck safety in cold weather, so you and your employees can drive safely at work in the winter months.
Wear the right clothing
Employees operating forklifts in the winter months are likely to be working in very cold or even freezing temperatures. Too much exposure to the cold can cause health problems as serious as hypothermia and frostbite, which is why drivers need to wear the right clothing during their workday.
Thermal workwear including body warmers, fleece jackets, insulated hats and warm gloves are vital for employees operating in winter. A high-quality pair of work boots is also essential to keep your feet warm and dry while minimising the chance of slipping over on icy paths. Don’t forget to put on a high-visibility vest as well, to ensure you can be seen in all conditions. Most of the clothing required to improve forklift safety in winter can be found at Zoro. Install tyre chains.
All forklift drivers will know that having the right tyres is essential. As well as choosing strong, thick tyres which are durable and long-lasting, it is also recommended to have tyres with a deep, robust tread area. That’s not just the case for cold weather, though: well-maintained tyres are vital for forklift trucks, no matter what the weather conditions are.
But to make tyres even safer in winter, think about installing tyre chains to your forklift truck. These are designed to provide better traction in snow, which reduces the chances of drivers losing control on icy surfaces. Snow Chains offer a variety of tyre chains in different sizes, which can be easily fitted to most forklift trucks and then removed when the weather’s warmer.
Consistent maintenance is key
It is especially important to maintain a forklift truck in winter to avoid any accidents. Checks such as examining fluid levels, warning lights and the battery are some things operators should do every day. There are also obvious issues which should be looked for, including leaks and bodywork problems. But there are further tests drivers should be carrying out in winter to make sure their forklift is completely safe to operate. For example, you need to take extra care with trucks fuelled by liquid propane, as their coolant system can freeze in cold weather. It’s worth taking additional safety measures and purchasing a winter forklift service.
Provide full forklift training
If your employees have not been fully trained on operating a forklift in winter, they should not be driving it. Driving a car is simply not the same as handling a forklift truck and there are many more skills you need to have. Plus, when it comes to winter, supplementary knowledge is required to make sure you are completely prepared for harsh weather conditions.
Key Performance Training provides expert training on operating forklifts, including refresher training for those who need a reminder of how to work safely in winter. You can find out more about our forklift training courses here.
Staying safe in winter can be difficult for even the most experienced forklift truck drivers. But if you wear the right clothing, install additional protective gear, maintain your truck correctly and have it comprehensively serviced, you can greatly reduce the risk of danger. It’s also recommended to take forklift truck training courses, so you know the proper procedures for operating in cold weather.
An accident involving a fork lift truck still occurs almost every week it the UK. 70% are preventable. And while Swindon hasn’t had an accident in a while that didn’t save one Swindon Company from being fined £60,000 in November 2017 for not having a proper risk assessment for forklift truck operations.
Three local businesses have been motivated to do something about it for different reasons. Responsive Personnel a leading Swindon Recruitment Agency, Be More Effective a top business skills training consultancy and Mr Shifter, the highly rated Removal and Storage Company.
Danny Kimber, Managing Director of Responsive Personnel says “There are simply not enough Fork Lift Truck Drivers in Swindon. Our town has so many warehouse, distribution and logistics companies, many expanding and many struggling to meet the demands of their workload – we feel that by providing top class training we can help many people unlock a new well-paid career and also enable many businesses to unlock the potential in their workforce.” Danny had been looking for a facility to create the training centre for over a year when he met up with Clive and Tom Page from Mr Shifter. Clive recalls their meeting. “It was one of those unplanned events that has changed the direction of my business interests. Our removal company is growing so fast we decided to take a much large warehouse, one we could grow into – and then I met Dan, by chance, and his enthusiasm for a top-class training arena caught my attention.” Tom added “We have Fork Lifts in my company and we know how vital it is to move our client loads around safely and efficiently. I don’t think we treat this key business skill well enough, I don’t think we have enough of the right type of training available locally, so we decided to help Danny make it happen. Building the two classrooms and the skill practise arena has been great fun.”
The third business leading this new Swindon venture is Be More Effective, known for it’s business growth sales consultancy, corporate internal communication expertise and world-class sales training. When asked why he has decided to get involved, Bob Hayward the Managing Partner at Be More Effective said, “I remember my first ever temp-job as a teenager when I left school. I was working as a “mate” in a factory making metal balconies. One day my supervisor asked me to help load a batch of railings onto a truck – I didn’t know he meant drive the Fork Lift Truck. I was both excited and scared, they had taken weeks to make and if I dropped them, or damaged the lorry, or worse hit one of the lads… Looking back I cannot believe they let me do that without any training. So when Danny, Clive and Tom asked for my input I jumped at the chance – I have a passion for adult business skills training, whether that is a soft skill like time management or a hard skill like driving a fork lift truck – I am determined to create a driver training school that is a relaxed, fun, safe and yet challenging place to learn these vital skills. It is fantastic to see people unlock their potential and grow their careers.” David Gearon has been recruited as Lead Trainer and he is so excited about this new opportunity. “It is brilliant to be involved from the beginning, setting the standards high, finding the best equipment to use, creating a skill practise arena – having been around Fork Lift Trucks for many years and worked with some of the best trainers in the UK I know how important it is to train people properly. It really annoys me when I’ve visited sites and seen unsafe practise. A Fork Lift Truck, handled badly can hurt or kill someone – I want to provide the best training that I can so our delegates are some of the safest and most efficient in the Country – that is want we mean by unlocking your career and unlocking your potential”
One thing is for sure – with three top Swindon Businesses backing Key Performance Training – it is off to a flying start.
For more information – please contact Bob Hayward Phone: +44 (0)1793 975 353 Postal Address: Key Performance Training Ltd, Crowood House North, Gipsy Lane, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 8YY. Email: bob.hayward@keyperformancetraining.co.uk Website: https://www.keyperformancetraining.co.uk/
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