Can You Afford To Not Train Your Forklift Operatives?

No matter what business you’re in – if your workers use forklift trucks as part of their job, it is absolutely essential that you ensure that they undergo the correct training and gain the required certification.

Without it, the business owner or the responsible manager is completely liable for any accidents that result – and that can be a costly cross to bear.

Before deciding to cut corners on your training to save money or time, consider whether you can really afford to…

Forklift maintenance

One of the most commonly overlooked costs associated with inadequate forklift training is the money you will have to put in to having your forklift trucks maintained after you’ve allowed operatives with no training or knowledge of the functions to use it.

Slow production

You’ll lose money where you should be making it! If you’ve taken the step and invested in forklifts to speed up daily processes and tasks, it makes sense that you’ll also invest in the training your staff need to operate if safety and effectively.

Loss of equipment, assets and machinery

Forklift trucks are heavy pieces of machinery, so if your forklift operatives cause an accident, it’s likely that they’ll damage much more than themselves. Crashes can result in damage to other machinery, equipment and even the structure of your property that will be costly to put right!

Health and Safety Regulations

Forklift training isn’t just a good idea, it’s a legal obligation – as an employer you have a duty to ensure that your staff are properly trained to carry out their jobs. So if you are found not to have provided your staff with the correct forklift training, there will be penalties, fines and possibly even imprisonment to look forward to!

Legal costs

If any of your employees are involved in an accident and they are injured as a result, expect to be held responsible when they make a personal claim against you! You could end up paying compensation, court costs and fines if you haven’t trained them sufficiently.

Human cost

You must always remember that as an employer, you have a moral duty to keep your staff safe, as well as a legal duty of care. If you haven’t provided your staff with the right level of training, and kept them up to date, you will be directly responsible for any accidents they have, and any injuries they receive as a result.

So….

Don’t take the risk! Your workers are your most valuable asset -make sure they are properly trained to carry out their job safely, effectively and legally.

The team at Health And Safety Training Ltd are here to help. We’ll assess your forklift training requirements and tailor a course to suit your operatives. That way you can rest assured that you are complying with the necessary legal requirements, and keeping your team them safe from avoidable accidents and injuries.