If you’ve ever seen a forklift in operation, you probably thought it wouldn’t be too difficult to jump into one of the vehicles and navigate with ease around a facility. Of course, that’s just not the case. Like any other piece of industrial equipment used in material handling operations, forklifts are complicated vehicles that require significant training in order to operate. This is precisely the reason that only individuals who have received proper training and certification be allowed behind the controls of a forklift, without exception. There are several institutions that offer forklift training in accordance with the U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OHSA) requirements, including a number of reputable forklift dealers. And, it’s vital for the sake of the business and its goods, the other equipment that may be utilized, such as a pallet rack system, and the other employees who work in the facility to only allow people who have received the proper training to serve as forklift operators.

Safety at the Forefront of Decision

Safety is of the utmost importance in the material handling industry, so it’s easy to understand why forklift operators need to be properly trained before being permitted to navigate the vehicles throughout a facility. Authorizing a forklift operator who hasn’t undergone the required OHSA training for industrial trucks can lead to hazardous work conditions for employees who work within the facility. Forklift operators need to understand how to navigate safely between rows of pallet racking and how to avoid obstacles such as pallets and other goods that may be present on the ground floor, not to mention avoiding coming into contact with workers. Using properly trained lift truck operators will help minimize the risk of accidents involving forklifts occurring at the workplace.

Minimize the Chance for Damage

While employee safety is priority number one, ensuring that the goods being stored in the facility remain free of damage also is critical. Forklift operators could be subjected to navigating in extremely tight quarters in some instances, especially in warehouses where extensive pallet racking systems are present. This presents the risk of forklifts coming into contact with the pallet rack system, which could damage the industrial storage unit and perhaps even the goods that are stored on the system. The last thing you want is to incur costs because an untrained person was permitted to operate a forklift, particularly because it is a situation that can be avoided.

Maintain an Efficient Operation

A productive business requires employees who understand and know how to do their jobs, so using trained forklift operators is necessary to reach and maintain the efficiency level you want. Lift truck operators need to know how to load and unload pallets from the racking system so you can meet your customers’ needs. Without properly trained lift truck operators, it will be impossible to maintain a pace that allows you to adequately meet the production demands that allow your business to be profitable.

Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites.

Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites. http://www.aceshelf.com/

Author Bio: Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites.

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