Do Your Warehouse Employees in Concord Need Forklift Training

Forklift accidents are so common every year that when scrolling through social media, you're bound to spot a video of at least one incident. The results are often catastrophic, resulting in serious injuries and a ton of damaged products. A tragedy that could almost always be prevented with basic forklift training.

At first glance, a forklift may seem just like a small car with a few extra controls, but this is a heavy industrial machine that requires successful forklift training to operate. The question is, should forklift training for employees include everyone in your Concord warehouse?

Let's discuss the value of forklift training and why your employees really need it.

How Many of Your Employees Should Receive Forklift Training?

The answer is very simple: everyone who works in the warehouse in your Concord business. Only office staff that never go into the warehouse have no need for training. Even if employees are unlikely to use the forklift, or they use it rarely, should still get the training.

This may seem counterintuitive or like a waste of time and money, but the benefits of forklift training extend beyond the actual driving of the forklift. Let's discuss a few of the reasons why you want to keep everyone up to date with forklift training.

You Have Backup Employees With Forklift Training

In every industry, employees are going to call in sick, even those who are vital to your operations. A common situation in many warehouses is that only a handful of people can operate a forklift. Managers keep it this way to reduce liability and limit forklift privileges to those who are properly trained, and those they can trust.

This creates the unintentional consequence of fewer or no forklift drivers when those people call in sick. Forklift operation requires all of your mental faculties, so it's not a good idea to bring someone in who should be recovering in bed. Instead, other employees can take over their responsibilities for the time being.

Plus, it insures you against the unlikely possibility that one of your employees quit. Having those backup operators keeps your warehouse running if someone submits the resignation. If they have a bit of experience under their belt, they'll quickly get back up to speed and return your production to normal.

Accidents Often Involve Pedestrians

Sadly, forklift accidents often include anyone in the nearby vicinity. This could be an unsuspecting employee who gets struck by a forklift, hit by a falling object, or crushed between an object and the forklift.

Those who lack proper training from a certified forklift trainer in Concord do not fully understand its limitations. For example, they may not understand how limited the visibility is while operating a forklift. Even a small load can effectively make the operator blind to objects in front of them.

A forklift is not like a car. It stops and accelerates in narrow spaces. Knowing how to operate one is really the only way to fully understand it.

If someone has forklift training, they will understand these limitations. They won't make the risky move that others might when in the presence of a forklift.

Forklift Operators Need External Assistance

Driving a forklift works best when the operator has one or two other people guiding them when trying to navigate a large load or with limited visibility. These helpers can assist them to navigate the forks properly into a pallet. They can also guide them out of tricky spaces while under load.

Anyone can provide guidance, but someone who has forklift training knows the aforementioned limitations and risks of a forklift. They will be able to provide better guidance than the Average Joe.

Furthermore, they will be aware of potential hazards long before the laymen. Someone with no forklift certification or experience may not identify hazards that are unique to forklifts. For example, they may recognize when the forklift has too heavy of a load.

As we've said before, it's a good insurance policy to have everyone become forklift certified. Even for people that rarely operate the forklift, they can be an asset in the meantime.

Forklifts Require Careful Maintenance

Many falsely assume that forklifts are plug-and-play. As long as they have enough battery or fuel, they are good to go. The truth is anyone who actually uses the forklift knows they require regular inspection, daily maintenance, and frequent repairs.

There are too many stories of people who hop on a forklift without going through the proper forklift training. Without that training advice that a certified forklift trainer in Concord can provide, they put their lives at risk.

Those who have proper training treat a forklift with the respect it deserves. They give proper maintenance and do not use it unless it is ready. Someone who understands the risk it poses will not hop on just for fun.

Create an Environment That is Safety-Oriented

Certifications and training are not just to comply with the law. They create emergency-preparedness and an overall safety mindset. When you ask your employees to get training, you are conveying your concern for their safety

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A warehouse environment is one that is replete with safety hazards of all kinds. There is a reason that OSHA often has a field day with warehouses that do not comply.

Even when forklift certification is not strictly necessary, you stand to benefit by having your employees ready for everything. You can be underprepared but never overprepared.

Get Forklift-Certified in Concord Today

Forklift training may not be required for all employees in Concord, but it should be. It makes sure all of your warehouse staff understand how a forklift works and what risks it poses to them. They will have a better mindset around forklifts and be ready to use them when other employees are indisposed.

At Carolina Industrial Trucks, we provide everything you could possibly need for forklift operation. Visit us here and get the forklift training you need.