To raise awareness of the importance of pre-use inspections in lift truck operations, RTITB, the leading workplace transport training accrediting body, will be speaking at the FLTA National Fork Lift Safety Conference in September 2017.
According to the HSE, over 18 per cent of lift truck incidents occur as a result of mechanical failure, yet RTITB statistics show that more than 60 per cent of operators cannot carry out and record a robust pre-use inspection. To address this, in RTITB’s conference presentation ‘Appearance isn’t everything’, Laura Nelson, managing director of RTITB, will look at why conducting proper pre-use inspections is so crucial for safety, and the consequences of overlooking this vital process.
“At times, we are all guilty of making quick judgments about whether something is safe or unsafe. We can easily become complacent, and tempted to not follow the correct processes to try and save time,” explains Laura. “However, failure to complete pre-use inspections can have devastating consequences – even a truck that looks ok on the surface might pose a very real risk.
“To improve safety and reduce risk, employers should take steps to ensure that pre-use inspections are not overlooked,” continues Laura. “In my presentation, I’ll explain how lift truck incidents can be avoided by using training to ensure that operators are trained and competent to inspect the equipment. I’ll also look at ways to manage operators and expectations, as its crucial to be proactive, rather than reactive when it is already too late.”
The FLTA National Fork Lift Safety Conference takes place on 20th September 2017 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, Coventry. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘managing fork lift safety in changing times’. Alongside the session from Laura Nelson, there will be presentations from other leading organisations to inspire attendees with ways to overcome different problems and enhance safety in operations.
For details on the FLTA National Fork Lift Safety Conference, visit: http://fork-truck.org.uk/fork-lift-safety/national-fork-lift-safety-conference
