Tips To Help Forklift Operators Be Better Drivers

Everyone who wants to be a forklift driver should know that he needs to be fully trained and certified for the job. But it doesn’t end there. Operators should continue to work to be better drivers after their training has completed.

Forklift operators are urged to:

• Practice their trade
• Do Their Checks
• Observe safety precautions
• Reduce distractions
• Wear the proper gear
• Know the lift’s capabilities
• Know how to communicate
• Plan ahead
• Be flexible
• Stay calm

Practice Your Trade

Even professional athletes practice before games. There’s nothing wrong for forklift operators to do the same. Always on the road to honing your skills is a good thing. It helps build confidence in your abilities as a driver and it helps in getting you more familiar with your forklift.

Do Your Checks

Remember that the responsibility of keeping your forklift up to snuff is yours and no one else’s. Take nothing for granted about your lift before climbing into the cabin. Assure that the machine is in good working at the start of your shift.

Observe Safety Precautions

Safety should be priority one. One way to assure that you operate your lift in a safe manner is to be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for other vehicles, movable materials and load height limitations. Also be aware of the speed of your workplace.

Reduce Distractions

Being in the zone, so to speak, is an important trait for a forklift operators. You need to be focused on the task at hand from the moment you step into the cabin to the time you leave it. Don’t get distracted. Remember, a forklift is a big machine that can be dangerous when misused.

Wear The Proper Gear

Preventing injuries begin with wearing the proper gear. It is common for warehouse forklift operators to wear steel toe cap boots, a jacket or vest that shows a highly visible color, gloves, helmet, and ear-protectors to guard your hearing from the extreme noises you encounter on the job.

Know The Lift’s Capabilities

Take the time to familiarize yourself with your forklift’s capabilities. Know what it can and can’t do. For example, an experienced driver knows not to overload weight on the lift or is aware that you shouldn’t drive it where it shouldn’t be. Don’t be afraid to ask your fellow forklift drivers any questions you might have about driving a lift and what a lift is capable and not capable of doing.

Know How To Communicate

Remember, as a member of a team, it is your responsibility to regularly communicate your intentions to other forklift operators as well as pedestrians who may be walking in your work area.

Plan Ahead

Don’t wing it through your day. Be prepared before you step into the cabin of your lift. Having a plan on how to execute your tasks for the day will make things easier and assure safe results for your co-workers.

Be Flexible

You should be flexible when executing your plan. The workplace is always buzzing with activity, so be able to adjust your actions to react to changing circumstances.

Stay Calm

Finally, don’t allow anything to rattle you during your workday. Stay patient and calm. Stressing out or panicking under pressure can result in accidents.

(Source: tcm.eu)