Despite the advancements of material handling companies and modern equipment, many warehouses still require forklift operators to move goods and products from one area to another. This can easily be achieved safely and efficiently. What skills do forklift drivers require?
Trained and Qualified
Only where forklift operators have been trained beyond minimum standards and hold the licence to operate the equipment, should they be allowed to exercise their skills within a warehouse. Although forklifts may look like an enormous toy, they are in fact, dangerous equipment, that must be operated correctly.
With safety shoes, a high viz jacket, a hard hat and without loose clothing that could get caught within a variety of machinery, the operator is ready to go.
Materials handling companies will always insist that safety is paramount and training is an ongoing subject.
Checking Their Equipment
Before driving, operators should check the equipment because they do not know if someone else has operated the forklift since they last moved their regular model. Steering, brakes, tyres and warning devices should be regularly checked, with any problems noted and actioned immediately.
One of the most substantial dangers for forklift equipment is their surrounding environment, both human and machinery. Therefore, forklift operators are taught to operate within roadways, that are designated within the warehouse building.
By operating within the necessary speed limits, careful negotiation is required for any changes of direction, cornering, to prevent tipping, especially when slowing down.
When you bring in designers of materials handling companies, it is essential that roadways for forklift drivers are established at an early stage. The design and build stage will need to understand what types of loads and weights are required to be manoeuvred by the forklift. Are any ramps required within the zone?
All forklift operators will park their model in a designated area, applying the brake, removing keys to ensure that the model cannot be moved without necessary authorisation.
