The Importance of Operator Safety Training

June 5th, 2018 - What are some other benefits of operator safety training aside from avoiding fines?

We are all familiar with OSHA regulations stating that all heavy equipment operators must be certified to do so. These certifications are earned after completing an OSHA certified training course. Ensuring that all your operators are certified already cuts down several costs of your operation. By strictly abiding by these regulations you prevent yourself from being fined from any violations of this regulation. You also greatly reduce the chance of incurring a tremendous amount of costs from forklift accidents. What would those cost include? The cost of employee injury or death, product damage, and facility damage is just a start. So those costs are pretty understood. Now, what are some other benefits of operator safety training?

Efficiency

Obviously, it takes time and practice to become a highly efficient forklift operator. New operators may be intimidated by other moving forklifts or moving loads from high racking. We have a mock warehouse in our training facility for new operators to get a feel for what it is like in a real application. When new operators get practice traveling through the mock warehouse they gain confidence. Operator’s confidence will increase your warehouse efficiency while remaining cognizant of hazards around the warehouse floor.

Productivity

Productivity and efficiency go hand in hand. An increase in efficiency brings an increase in productivity. Trained operators can move more product from point A to point B. This means more product leaving those dock doors and more money in your balance sheet.

Economic Life of Your Equipment

A forklift used excessively or improperly can significantly reduce its overall economic life. Impacts or pushing and pulling pallets cause the greatest amount of damage to a forklift. However, there are things that you may do that will not lead to immediate issues. Learning how to avoid those things in operator safety training will greatly reduce your maintenance and repair costs. Thus, extending the economic life of the forklift.

It is also important to remember that certifications do expire. After three years operators must be recertified to remain in OSHA compliance. Luckily for you, we can help you with all of it. Whether you or your operators are new or experienced we make sure we produce the safest and most effective operators possible. Get in touch with us to find out how to get started!