How Important Is Forklift Safety Training For Your Warehouse Operation?

Each year, National Forklift Safety Day reminds us all, to embrace a culture of workplace safety. At Brandt, safety is a top priority and shapes our culture. On this occasion, let’s see how critical forklift safety training is for your business. 

Forklifts play a vital role in any warehouse operation. From safely moving goods to optimizing storage space, Forklifts are crucial for everyday tasks. However, adding the constant movement of heavy equipment, loud workplace noise, narrow aisles of a warehouse, and pedestrians into the mix, it quickly becomes a potential recipe for disaster. This makes it not only beneficial but absolutely necessary for warehousing operations to ensure forklift drivers are properly trained and certified to operate equipment in a demanding environment.

Here are just some of the ways proper forklift training benefits a warehousing operation:

Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety must be the number 1 priority for any business operation. With adequate forklift operator training, employees are protected in two ways. First, forklift operators are equipped with the proper knowledge to help avoid accidents. With Brandt’s forklift operator training, operators learn how to avoid on-site foot traffic, safely navigate forklifts in narrow and confined areas while handling a load, equipment pre-use inspection checks, parking and shut down procedures. Second, pedestrian training covers components on safety while working on-foot around forklifts and how to avoid accidents while safely moving around a warehouse.
 

Uptime and Productivity 

Inexperienced forklift operators are prone to accidents and most accidents involve either a collision with another forklift or a warehouse rack. This directly impacts the productivity of a warehouse and forklift uptime. Even a minor accident could mean permanent damage to the forklift, leaving the machine inoperable. The longer a forklift is down, the more it costs a warehouse operation in lost productivity and downtime. Investing in employee training and certification helps avoid downtime by keeping your warehouse on schedule.
 

Cost to Company

Forklift accidents don’t just hamper productivity and uptime. It can be costly to have a forklift collision. Equipment repair, damaged stock and broken pallets or racks all add up to a substantial amount; directly affecting profits. It doesn’t stop there. Costs increase if an employee is injured in one of these accidents and is unable to work. In the long run, it is ideal to invest in proper safety training courses to protect your employees and your business operation. 


Equipment Operator Safety Training will enhance safety, productivity, efficiency and confidence on the job. Contact your local Brandt Safety Training Centre to book online, in-class or on-site courses.