In your search for the right forklift training, you may have come across the term ‘material handling equipment (MHE)’, but what does it mean?
Well, if you’re keen to find out more about MHE training and its meaning, then you’ve come to the right place.
Here at SB Skills Solutions, we provide a wide range of in-house and accredited health and safety and forklift operator training courses, so we know a thing or two about MHE training and why MHE experience is so important.
Below, we explain what’s involved in MHE training and whether you’ll need an MHE licence.
What is MHE training?
MHE training simply refers to the teaching of knowledge and practical skills required to safely operate material handling equipment. That includes, but is not limited to, pallet trolleys (both manual and battery-powered), conveyor systems, cranes, lifts, forklifts, reach trucks, and order pickers. Put simply, MHE training covers the use of any system or tool that is used to help operators handle materials in the workplace.
Is a forklift a material handling equipment?
Yes, a forklift is considered to be a material handling equipment as it is commonly used to lift, store and transport a wide range of materials. Often used in warehouses and other storage areas, types of forklifts include counterbalance trucks, reach trucks, pivot steer trucks, VNA (or very narrow aisle) trucks, electric pallet trucks, and stacker trucks.
What is an MHE licence?
Similar to a ‘forklift licence’, there’s no such thing as a physical MHE licence. Instead, this term is generally used to refer to someone who has passed the relevant MHE training course, highlighting that the operator is qualified to use certain material handling equipment and has completed the necessary safety training.
Once an individual has obtained this certification, it will often last a lifetime. However, there are some exceptions. For example, your employer may ask you to take a refresher course to brush up on your knowledge or may arrange for you to complete a conversion course if your role requires you to operate a forklift or piece of material handling equipment that you have no prior experience using.
Contact SB Skills for MHE training
At SB Skills Solutions, we offer a comprehensive industrial forklift truck training course that’ll provide you with all the necessary MHE training to help you secure a role at a construction or warehousing business.
With a helping hand from our qualified instructors and our safe and supportive environment, you’ll pick up accredited new workplace skills in no time.
Offering NPORS or ITSSAR accredited courses, or in-house training tailored carefully to your requirements, you’re just a call away from booking a place on our next novice, refresher or conversion forklift operating training course.
To speak to a member of our team, don’t hesitate to call us on 01695 558 420.
Alternatively, you can also email us at info@sbskills.co.uk or complete the form on our handy online contact page.
