Culture Of Safety
It's common for managers to neglect forklift safety refresher courses for several reasons, such as not operating the equipment daily, being pulled in different directions, or budgetary concerns. However, staying up to date on forklift safety training is crucial for managers. It enables them to understand their responsibilities better and lead by example in maintaining a safe work environment.
Forklift operators are recommended to receive refresher training every three years or after any incident occurs. This ensures they stay updated on safety practices and helps prevent future accidents. It's equally important for supervisors and other associates to receive regular safety refreshers, as this promotes a culture of safety and accountability within the workplace.
Increased Warehouse Safety For All Associates
Safety should always be the top priority. If the management team is doing their part to ensure that all operators are up to date on forklift safety training, then they should also be educated about the latest OSHA requirements, best practices, and safety equipment and parts themselves.
Leading by example is a key aspect of effective leadership, especially when it comes to fostering a culture of safety. If company leaders do not prioritize safety training for themselves, it sends a message to the rest of the team that safety is not valued.
The other important aspect to consider is that the more comfortable people get in their day-to-day work, the more likely they are to become complacent and begin neglecting important safety practices. Forklift safety refresher courses are a great way to reignite an interest in safety and shed light on safety concerns that may have been going overlooked. Refresher courses will benefit both staff and management in this way.
Cost Benefits Of Forklift Safety Training
It’s important to remember that proper forklift safety training is an investment. While it increases the annual budget, the cost of initial training is often very low compared to costs that can be incurred as a result of poor safety practices.
Proper training can prevent loss of life, and at the end of the day, people are a company’s most valuable asset. Workplace injuries lead to costly downtime and expensive workers' compensation payments, not to mention the additional expenses from damaged equipment and product. Preventable accidents come with serious financial and operational consequences, making safety training a critical investment for any business.
Added Flexibility For Management
The confidence and peace of mind afforded when managers are up to date with their own forklift certifications is priceless. The more intimate management is with current safety practices, the better they’ll be able to assess if their staff are up to date with training and are routinely following safety procedures. Knowing that their team is operating safely and productively allows managers to give their team independence, and it allows them to devote more focus to strategic objectives that move the business forward.
In the event that there is a forklift safety incident, management and staff can apply what they’ve learned in their forklift safety refresher courses and handle it in the best way possible.
ProLift’s team of safety experts are available to find a forklift safety training program matched for your company's needs.
