Introduction
Forklifts move the world of warehousing, but they can also wreck it if mishandled. Warehouse safety isn’t paperwork; it’s protecting people and productivity. Smart forklift programs reduce accidents, downtime, insurance claims, and OSHA trouble.
With proper training, tech, and warehouse temp staffing, forklift safety becomes a competitive advantage.
Why Forklift Safety Matters
Forklift safety is important, OSHA estimates that between 35,000 and 62,000 injuries occur every year involving forklifts. Accidents are a lose-lose situation. Not only do injuries impact worker health and well being. But also impact cost through damaged goods, downtime, and insurance rates.
Having a strong safety program can prevent accidents from happening. With a safety program there is higher productivity, lower turnover, fewer equipment repairs, and a positive workforce culture.
Safety isn’t slowing down. It speeds everything up. Unplanned injuries slow shifts way more than well-structured safety rules. This is especially important in warehouses who bring in new workers through temp labor and warehouse job apps.
OSHA Requirements & Certifications
OSHA requires employers to develop and implement a training program based on the principles of safe truck operations. Employers are required to certify that each forklift operator has been trained and evaluated in accordance with the OSHA standard.
Be sure to verify new workers certificates, especially if they are sourced from temp agencies near you.
To develop your own training program be sure to familiarize yourself with the OSHA standards and requirements. Outline who is responsible for training, when recertifications should happen, and documentation requirements.
Forklift Operation Best Practices
Pre-Operation Checks
Do a daily inspection checklist. Including brakes, forks, horn, tires, and hydraulics. Implement proper reporting procedures to fix problems before they happen.
Operating Procedures
Be sure to be clear about the operating procedures of forklifts in your warehouse. Outline speed control, proper load handling, and clear sightlines.
Shutdown & Parking
Having a standardized shutdown and parking procedure can increase safety and reduce maintenance for forklift trucks. Include items like, lowering forks, power off, neutral gear and safety brake.
Warehouse Environment Safety
Keeping the environment safe is also important. Be sure to have clear aisles, marked forklift lanes, and pedestrian zones. Mirrors at blind corners and warning lights can help reduce collisions.
Communication & Culture
Establish a safety first, speed second culture. Meet regularly in team briefings, toolbox talks or ongoing refreshers. This is important for full time employees as well as temporary warehouse workers.
Training Programs That Stick
Many warehouses use in house training programs to develop forklift operators from workers already in their workbase. Using shadow programs and hands-on practice warehouses don’t have to find warehouse staff that can already drive forklifts. They can train workers to become forklift certified.
Labor Strategy for Safe Forklift Operations
A forklift is only as safe as the person driving it. Always maintain a roster of trained forklift operators. If you find warehouse workers from temp labor be sure to always double check their certifications before letting them operate a forklift.
When volume spikes hit and managers are scrambling with temp agencies near you hoping for certified forklift drivers, they can lose precious time. With on-demand staffing platforms like Bacon, warehouses can staff warehouse shifts according to demand. Managers can find pickers and packers as well as forklift drivers to fill their shifts.
Workers pick up warehouse shifts that fit their schedules, making them more reliable.
Conclusion
Forklifts are critical tools, but respect and training keep them safe. Safety culture and proper training with flexible labor equals a smooth productive warehouse. Whether peak seasons hit or staffing fluctuates, safety cannot be options.
Need certified, reliable warehouse talent? Use Bacon to staff warehouse shifts and hire picking and packing workers. Without waiting on old-school temp agency delays.
