From untrained to over-confident – how safe are your operators?
How comfortable are your operators with their daily work? Do they sometimes face tasks they are unfamiliar with? Or do they regularly repeat the same jobs they’ve done for years? Either case presents its own risks and must be carefully managed to keep accidents to a minimum. Here we explore both ends of the spectrum, […]
Get the most out of your Safe Systems of Work & massively reduce risk
As we covered last time, employers have a legal duty of care to their employees and anyone else who could be affected by their operations. Yet industry news bulletins continue to report that the HSE has found forklift accidents that have taken place to be entirely avoidable, had appropriate systems and control measures been in […]
Your guide to forklift safety and the law
For those who work with forklift trucks – either as an employer, operator, or manager – the abundance of relevant regulations can make understanding your legal responsibilities seem overwhelming. But one piece of legislation it’s vital that you’re familiar with is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), as it forms the […]
How to avoid shocking safety statistics
To be effective, managers must fully understand their role in upholding safety – especially given their responsibility for your most valuable asset: your workforce. But our recent forklift safety survey has revealed a number of shocking statistics that call for greater awareness among UK operators and their managers. For example, half of those overseeing operations […]
How to create proactive managers who put safety policies into practice
Do you find that despite your company having operator training, risk assessments and relevant safe systems of work (SSOW) in place, forklift accidents, near misses and bad habits persist? Here, we explain why skilled and confident managers are key when it comes to upholding safety in your operations. Vital reinforcement According to a recent survey […]
The 2 most overlooked elements of forklift training
Most companies accept the need for basic forklift operator training, but a recent survey has revealed that almost one third of respondents failed to deliver the two key follow-up stages: specific job training and familiarisation training. All three stages are vital, but the latter are often overlooked, even though – without them – operators may […]
What your basic forklift training must cover (& what it shouldn’t)
Operator training is crucial for those required to use forklift trucks. But how can you be sure that any training given by your provider or in-house instructor is meeting the legal standards? Your best bet is to ensure your provider follows the Approved Code of Practice for Rider-operated lift trucks — known as L117 — […]
Your guide to safer, more efficient forklift loading
According to BITA analysis of recent RIDDOR reports, 1 in 6 work-based injuries involving forklift trucks is connected to the loading & unloading of trailers. Clearly these are high-risk activities, but they can easily be made safer, not to mention more efficient, if best practice is followed. What’s more, you’ll save on costly accidents, damage […]
4 causes of forklift tip-overs & how to reduce the risk
We explore 4 common causes of forklift tip-overs and how to reduce the risk of costly accidents on your site.
5 forklift safety pitfalls & how to avoid them
Forklift Safety – make sure your forklift operators understand how to safely mount (and dismount) a forklift truck.