Safety is at the heart of what we do, so working with our customers we deliver the right product for every application, but we also put safety first, because supporting smaller operations with our expertise helps to keep them working and safe. We appreciate that large companies have strategic reporting processes in place to prevent forklift truck incidents. Grant Handling can help these small businesses learn from corporate practices.
National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) – invented in the US but now a UK initiative led by the UKMHA – is around because, unfortunately, people are still being injured at work by forklifts.
A safety culture which prevents hazards in small businesses is key. Businesses which operate forklifts must not sidestep developing such a safety culture. The cost is too dear.
Human cost:
A man died following an incident with a Forklift Truck earlier this year at the Port of Liverpool.
Financial cost:
A company was fined £160k after an employee lost both legs while working at its site near Warrington.
Training solutions
Aprolis Training Solutions (ATS) – our sister company – is Grant Handling’s RTITB-accredited training provider. The courses are designed specifically for our customers, small businesses which operate forklifts to ensure they are operating a safe site. ATS provide nationwide operator training at customer locations or at their RTITB-accredited training centre in Hinckley.
Another of our group companies Aprolis Tyres, provides tyre consultancy which will assess your operation and create a cost effective and safe solution.
Beware of complacency
It’s easy to feel at ease in familiar workplace surroundings. But just as you wouldn’t stop for a chat in the middle of the road, colleagues shouldn’t become so comfortable that they stand around chatting in the path of a forklift. Training plays a vital role in reinforcing this awareness among pedestrians and drivers. It sounds like common sense, but is your team trained? The costs aren’t worth it.
Safety research
A Research Roundtable held by the UKMHA earlier this year to mark NFSD (10th June) was attended by safety experts from companies including Travis Perkins, Best Food Logistics and a number of forklift manufacturers. We recommend reading the White Paper which reports the findings, you can find it on the NFSD website, it’s free.
It explores the scale and impact of safety challenges and highlights the importance of collaborative efforts to drive industry-wide safety improvements, recognising that progress requires shared responsibility and innovation. Additionally, the paper addresses cultural and behavioural issues within safety practices, acknowledging that fostering a strong safety culture is fundamental to reducing risks.
Learning from the big boys
A universal truth is that small businesses still have much to learn when it comes to safety, as many do not have access to the same resources that larger businesses do. So, what steps could small businesses take to emulate larger operations to enhance safety?
- Increase near-miss and hazard reporting by making it easier for employees to report incidents and provide feedback on actions taken.
- Implement a “safety gain” or “good catch” programme to recognise and reward employees for safe behaviours.
- Follow best practices for walkways and segregation as outlined in the PAS 13 BSI standard.
- Look beyond just the purchase price when buying a forklift, consider its safety features and training available from the supplier.
Grant Handling Aprolis Training Solutions are here to help
Aprolis Training Solutions offer RTITB-accredited courses which will ensure your team meets industry standards and safety regulations. From forklift operator training to first aid and tyre assessments, there are a full range of solutions tailored to your exact business needs. And it’s all just a phone call away.
