Forklift Training Prices: Important Considerations

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If you are looking to train someone in the use of a forklift truck, there are are a number of points to think about before considering forklift training prices.

Why ought my company have its operators trained?

Every year, serious injury or deaths are caused by accidents involving forklift trucks. Statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that about 10 percent of these incidents result from inadequate operator training.

Responsibility rests on your shoulders, as an employer, for ensuring proper training to approved standards, for all users of workplace tools and equipment. Don’t forget that supervisors must also be given the necessary training.

Paraphrasing PUWER’s regulations:

For health and safety, it is imperative that employers give relevant training to employees, not only in the proper use of workplace equipment, but also in the associated risks involved in the equipment’s use and what precautions to take.

Employers must make sure that employees managing or supervising the use of work equipment, have undergone relevant training, for health and safety reasons. This training should encompass what systems may be implemented in using the equipment, as well as any risks that such use might bring into play and the precautions to put in place.

Each industry carries its own risks. No matter what precautions a company takes, there is always the chance of a workplace accident happening. Of course, these accidents, some causing death, are very upsetting to those involved and their families.

Such accidents, even when no-one is injured, can also involve significant cost to the employer. Not only can damage or destruction occur to vehicles, but also to the surrounding building and its fitting and to the goods being handled at the time.

What might happen if I do nothing?

Failure to train your operators could be considered to be: contravening either the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations or the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations.

It is entirely possible in the event of an accident, that the Health & Safety Executive decide to prosecute you. If it is found that you have not properly discharged your duties according to the Health & Safety At Work Act, your company insurance may not cover you. Furthermore, if the directors are found to be liable, crippling penalties could be imposed on them.

There is also the chance of a conviction leading to unwanted publicity. This in turn can lead to loss of goodwill toward the company and loss of business. This alone should be reason enough to ensure your operators are properly trained where health and safety regulations are concerned.

What action should you take?

Simple. Do not allow any untrained personnel to use a forklift truck, even if only on a very occasional basis. Anyone using such equipment must have passed all the appropriate training and tests.

Once trained, your operator’s performance needs to be regularly monitored. This is simply the best way to ensure proper and safe use of forklift trucks and similar equipment. As you are now aware, failure to train your employees could have dire consequences.

It is not only desirable to put into place a strong ongoing programme of training, it is also a legal requirement. Such a programme is, of course, essential to ensure the safety of what are key members of staff.

Do not just consider forklift training prices when choosing a training supplier. The best training companies will not be the cheapest. Check out as many in your area as you can. Ask other forklift users their opinions of different companies.

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Source by David I Wheeler

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