In fact, the vast majority of your time spent in a training session will be in reverse. Learning how to safely manoeuvre a forklift truck to back round corners, or to reverse into tight spaces is an underestimated skill. You will also learn how to move round the warehouse safely in every direction, while carrying a variety of different loads.
Previous Driving Experience Is Not Essential
Don’t be put off if you don’t have forklift experience already. The truth is that you don’t even need to hold a car driving licence to be able to train to drive a forklift truck. You will learn everything you need to know about how to safely drive a forklift on one of our courses, no matter your experience level. All you need to do is show up and come with a positive, can-do attitude.
Forklift Driving Is Different To Any Other Driving
Forklift trucks use their rear wheels to steer, and they have a 3 point suspension system. Simply put, this means that they are very different to handle than any other vehicle. For this reason, you will spend a good amount of time learning the theory and safety components of driving a forklift truck, as well as practical hands on sessions.
For more advice about Key Performance Training’s forklift driving courses call us on 01793 975353.
We have partnered with RTITB, the UK’s leading accrediting body for lift truck operator training, to offer accredited, quality eLearning, as an alternative to classroom-based training.
Material Handling Equipment (MHE), and in particular equipment found in warehouses and distribution centres (such as reach trucks, counterbalance trucks, pallet stackers and order pickers, etc.), are an essential part of any business in the logistics chain, allowing businesses to manoeuvre goods easily between storage locations and vehicles. Unfortunately, there is an element of risk associated with any MHE, especially when it is operated in confined environments and/or around other people.
As an employer or supervisor of MHE operators, you are expected to oversee workplace safety, ensure operators will continue to perform to the safest and most efficient standards, report and resolve safety issues, and also ensure that administrative and training objectives are met.
RTITB’s “Managing and Supervising Material Handling Equipment Operations” eLearning course is designed to help you do just this, introducing candidates to the requirements of this critical role and the training and safe operating practices that should be at the heart of any MHE operation. This eLearning course is perfect for anyone looking to develop into a managerial or supervisory role within an MHE environment, and for those already in the role looking to improve their understanding of their duties.
6 course sections providing approx. 3-4 hours of content
1. Health and Safety at Work
2. Regulations, ACoPs and Guidance
3. Operational Experience and Qualification Requirements
4. Administrative Responsibilities
5. Operator Training
6. Operational Safety
How it works
All eLearning material is available to access anytime, anywhere with an internet connection and can be used on multiple platforms such as tablets, laptops and PCs/MACs. Candidates simply log on to the eLearning platform (an email will be sent following license purchase to create an account) and work their way through the course.
As an RTITB eLearning provider, we help to change behaviour for the better and improve safety in transport and warehousing operations through compliant training and testing.
To get started with RTITB eLearning and learn more about our course offering, availability, and pricing, contact us on 01793 975353.
A yacht manufacturer has been sentenced after an employee was injured when his forklift overturned.
Back in August 2018, an employee was injured whilst helping to unload a delivery at the company’s site. The Counterbalance (Forklift) operator was operating a forklift truck in tandem with another driver to lift a large load from a flatbed lorry. Part of the load was lifted to allow the LGV/HGV to move forward however this caused another part of the loads to become unstable and fall against the mast of his lift truck causing it to overturn. He sustained both ligament and muscle damage to his ankle and was unable to return to work for five months as a result.
Having conducted an investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the lifting work had not been planned safely or risk assessed. The employees were not aware of relevant procedures and there were safer alternate methods available which had not even been considered.
The company was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,138.20 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
HSE Inspector Hatti Shipp said: “The risks associated with unloading vehicles should be recognised and controlled. Complex lifts including handling heavy or unusual loads require careful planning and additional considerations. This incident could have been avoided if safeguards had been put in place. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
The importance of forklift trucks in the workplace is sometimes overlooked or taken for granted. At first glance, the role of the forklift in the warehouse is to transport loads from one place to another, but in reality; the forklift is the warehouse’s secret weapon. The forklift is the life-blood of the warehouse, and is integral to boosting productivity in terms of both speed and capacity.
Forklift trucks increase overall efficiency and storage capacity simultaneously. When you consider that walking speed is around 3 miles per hour, and a forklift can travel at around 6 miles an hour, you can begin to put into perspective just how efficient forklifts are. At double walking speed, the forklift can get more done in less time, even while carrying heavy and bulky loads.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that having forklifts on site helps to get more done in less time. Workforces who use forklifts become naturally more productive, and in some ways less at risk of injury. Most forklifts can carry thousands of pounds in weight, saving employees from attempting to carry heavier loads than they are able to.
With knowledgeable operators behind the wheel, the products being transported by forklift are also much less likely to get damaged. Manual handling leaves a higher margin for error, but as long as forklift is used correctly; that margin is decreased significantly.
However, the speed, manoeuvrability and capacity of a forklift can quickly become a hazard if the driver is not operating the machine correctly. Up to date forklift training is paramount. Here at Key Performance Training we offer a wide range of forklift training courses, and refresher courses. To ensure that your employees are able to utilise the forklifts in your warehouse as safely and efficiently as possible, give us a call today.
Here at Key Performance Training, we have trained hundreds of successful forklift truck operators over the years, which is how we came to be Swindon’s leading RTITB training provider. Our aim isn’t solely to train you up and send you on your way, with us the added value comes from a company with heart who wants to help you on your way to your next career challenge.
So, what are the traits and characteristics of a successful, and safe, forklift driver?
Communication
The first, and arguably, most important part of being a safe forklift truck driver is communication. This might sound obvious, but it’s not just as simple as speaking calmly and clearly to other members of the team. Forklift truck operating requires forward planning and the ability to pre-empt any problems or pitfalls that may require a change of direction. Clearly communicating mitigates the risk of potential harm to you or your colleagues.
Observation
Concentration and coordination are great assets for forklift drivers to have. Being able to focus for long periods of time, while using a high degree of hand-eye coordination and accuracy can make all the difference in your forklift driving skills. One brief lapse in concentration is all it takes for a serious accident to occur.
Diligence
Compliance is a hugely important aspect to forklift driving. Being a diligent member of staff who is able to keep to the required safety standards is a huge must. Cutting corners or skipping steps is a recipe for disaster. Forklift drivers are people who are process-minded and adhere to the rules at all times.
Adaptable
To drive a forklift truck, you need to be able to prioritise tasks, and change strategy in an instant. Keeping calm under pressure is tough, but if you are able to easily adapt to the various requirements of the job, then forklift driving is the role for you.
Problem Solving
Assessing distances, angles, weights and load capacities is all part of the daily work of a forklift driver. Again, forward planning is a must; but if you are also somebody who is able to problem solve with ease then this will put you in good stead.
There are many skills that make a good forklift driver, but the above list is a good place to start. No matter your experience, Key Performance Training are here to help. Get in touch today on 07825 333894 to find out more about our training and refresher courses that we have available throughout 2022. We look forward to helping you unlock your career potential and sharing our connections to Swindon’s best employers!
Did you know we offer Fire Marshal Training courses in partnership with Tactical Tuition?
Many organisations neglect Fire Marshall Training in their workplace, school or group. Before anything else, we believe it is important to establish the need for completing this course before we explore how the course works.
What Is A Fire Safety/Marshall Course?
Key Performance Training are in close partnership with Tactical Tuition, who are a leading Oxfordshire based Health and Safety training company. This means we can offer Fire Marshal Training courses that result in a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification for all successful delegates.
The course is classroom / theory based and can be completed in the space of 1 day (6 hours). Within the classroom, delegates will learn the role of the necessary designated Fire Warden and how they can go on to prevent fires in their organisation.
Who Is The Course Designed For?
Two questions you may be wondering:
Could a Fire Warden course be suitable for you?
How should you decide who should be the designated Fire Marshall for your organisation?
The 3 main people who should complete this course to follow the HSE guidelines are:
Anyone in your organisation who has a direct responsibility to oversee Fire Safety in the workplace. (If no one in your organisation has this responsibility, you are not meeting the legal HSE requirements).
The designated Fire Marshall/Wardens of your company should complete a training course. This needs to be refreshed every 3 years to ensure the Fire Marshall’s knowledge is up to date and they are best equipped to deal with any emergency scenarios.
Anyone who needs to know how to use a Fire Extinguisher.
What Will You Learn?
It may be a surprise to you that there are a range of areas within Fire Warden Training which include:
Combustion principles
Common causes and the chemistry of fire
How fire and toxic fumes spread
The risks associated with fire in the workplace
How fire risk is controlled in the workplace
Fire safety legislation
The role of the Fire Marshal/Warden
Fire risk assessment
Emergency plan
Fire safety precautions
Action on discovering a fire
Fire drills and evacuation
Fire exit and fire safety signage
Moving through smoke-filled areas
Assembly points and roll calls
Use of fire-fighting equipment
Fire extinguishers: Water, Foam, CO2 & Powder
Fire blankets & hose reels
What Next?
Could you or your organisation benefit from Fire Warden Training and would any of your employees be suited to the course?
If so, get in contact with us today on 01793 975353
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