When you’re under pressure to pass your forklift training or meet deadlines on-site, it’s all too easy to build up a catalogue of forklift operator errors.
But those mistakes can come at a high cost, resulting in significant legal and health and safety consequences
In fact, according to the British Safety Council, approximately 1,300 people every year are involved in forklift-related accidents in Britain.
Complying with forklift training best practices, both before and after training, is the first step to ensuring that you and your colleagues don’t add to this statistic.
Read on to discover some of the most crucial forklift operation dos and don’ts.
What are some common forklift mistakes in the UK?
- Neglecting your seatbelt
Why it’s a problem: When a forklift is equipped with an operator restraint system, wearing it is a legal requirement in the UK. Regardless of the length of the journey, the risk of overturning is always there which can be fatal – especially if you’re not wearing your seatbelt.
How to avoid it: Switch your mindset: treat the forklift like a car. Get into the automatic habit of putting on your seatbelt every time you get in the driver’s seat.
- Overlooking pre-operational checks
Why it’s a problem: As per the HSE’s Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), pre-operational checks must be conducted.
These pre-use checks can identify potential issues and faults early, reduce the frequency of accidents and breakdowns, and ensure safe and legal forklift operation.
Failure to conduct pre-operational forklift checks can have severe consequences, ranging from fines and legal action to fatalities.
How to avoid it: Make it a consistent, non-negotiable part of your routine. If you’re struggling to remember all the different checks, you can also put together a simple checklist that can be easily accessed before stepping onto the forklift.
- Forgetting to check the machine’s capacity
Why it’s a problem: Forklifts have different weight capacities depending on their size, design, and type. Failing to check that the machine’s weight capacity can comfortably handle the load you want to lift can result in tipping, leading to potential injuries and damages.
How to avoid it: All forklifts in the UK are legally required to have a permanently affixed, legible data plate that provides vital information about the machine, including its load capacity. Getting into the routine of checking this plate and handling different types of forklifts can prevent you from slipping into this bad habit.
- Not adjusting the forklift forks
Why it’s a problem: When you’re driving a forklift, regardless of whether it’s empty or has a load, the forks must be appropriately positioned (the heel should be 10 to 15cm or 4 to 6 inches above the floor) to avoid both tipping and scraping the ground.
How to avoid it: If fork adjustment is something you often overlook, it may be a good idea to introduce workplace signage or ask a supervisor to provide a refresher on key forklift safety tips, including proper fork positioning, to reinforce safe forklift operation habits from the start.
- Relying too heavily on mirrors to drive
Why it’s important: Another common mistake with regards to construction and warehouse forklift safety in the UK involves failing to look in the direction of travel.
This may seem obvious, but many operators can rely too heavily on their mirrors, especially when driving in reverse, which can reduce their awareness of obstacles, pedestrians, or unexpected hazards.
How to avoid it: While mirrors and other visual aids, such as warning alarms, can (and should!) be used to aid manoeuvring, it’s crucial that you make the effort to physically face the direction of travel. If your vision is obstructed, ask for a trained spotter to help you transport loads from A to B.
Accredited forklift training from a trusted provider
If you’re considering, or already undergoing, professional forklift training, seeking expert guidance from an accredited instructor is key to your success.
At SB Skills, we offer delegates HSE-recognised forklift operator training courses delivered by a highly experienced team of NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) trained forklift operation instructors.
From learning how to avoid forklift accidents to understanding the truck’s various capabilities and functions, our team will ensure that candidates are well-equipped for the warehousing or construction industry.
To discuss our courses and pricing, call us today on 01695 558 420.
We also welcome online enquiries and emails sent to info@sbskills.co.uk.
