Forklift Training During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Warehouse activities have been considered “essential” during the coronavirus pandemic. With state and federal governments giving that classification, it is more than essential that warehouse practices encourage activities that will help limit the spread of the virus.

It is the fleet manager’s responsibility to assure that good practices are followed when training forklift drivers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

One activity that is essential to a warehouse, but could offer all sorts of problems as businesses try to prevent virus spikes is training forklift operators. Warehouses may have a need to replace sick drivers with neophytes who don’t have the experience in handling a lift. So training becomes that much more important.

Here are 10 things to consider every time you take on the task of forklift training.

1. Before any training session, ensure that the instructor is healthy. Do they show any signs of having the coronavirus? If so, they should be allowed to go home and remain in isolation until the illness passes.
2. Monitor forklift driver instructors before forklift training to assure that they don’t have the virus. Be sure that they are tested frequently. If they show signs of symptoms including a cough, sneeze, or headache, keep them under observation to assure that they don’t contract the virus.
3. Practice social distancing throughout the warehouse complex. Make certain that employees are wearing masks and that they are maintaining social distancing rules of being 6-feet from one another. Set up markers where workers can stand and assure that they are 6-feet away from other employees.
4. If you outsource your training program, be sure to discuss with the trainer your warehouse’s safety practices. Some things that the trainer may need to know including are employee temperatures being taken? Is warehouse management sending anyone home who is showing symptoms? What is the procedure of keeping items clean?
5. Perform a risk assessment. Reassure employees that if at any time during a training session they suspect that safety practices are not being followed, they can stop the training without fear of repercussions.
6. Don’t allow trainers to travel to your warehouse on public transit. Also ask candidates for a forklift-driving job not to travel to the warehouse using public transit.
7. Ensure that all employees wash their hands for at least 20 seconds when they arrive at the warehouse. Make sure that they also wash their hands at regular intervals during the day. Provide trainees and trainers with tissues and hand sanitization and inform them where they can throw them away.
8. Ensure that all surfaces are sanitized including desks, chairs, and equipment. Clean everything regularly.
9. Sanitize the forklift’s hand controls, handholds, steering wheel, door handles, and seat and seatbelt. Do this at the start of each day and during regular intervals.
10. Consider using online or virtual training to minimize contact time between instructor and trainee.

(Source: forkliftaction.com)