Choice of Equipment Is Just as Important as Forklift Training

There is a lot that goes into how companies use forklifts to sustain daily operations. They have to consider the operating environment, the kinds of loads that need to be moved and stacked, and even how to ensure the safest possible environment without compromising productivity. Most of the time we just assume driver certification is the most important thing. However, according to Plants & Works magazine, the choice of equipment is every bit as important as forklift training. In some cases, even more so.

According to the magazine, if choosing the right forklift equipment were as simple as looking at product features and bottom-line prices, there would be a robust online market. Nevertheless, there is not. Moreover, that’s because choosing the right equipment is a complex process that requires operators to consider many different factors.

One of the more important factors, according to Plants & Works, is the fuel source. In the UK, there are three options: electric, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Electric is considered the best option for small operations with minimal forklift use. Nevertheless, it will not do in environments requiring forklifts to operate non-stop, day after day. In such cases, the choice becomes one of diesel or LPG.

Plants & Works does a good job laying out the differences between the two types of fuels. It also makes the case that LPG is probably the better choice in most modern applications. Nonetheless, operators still need to weigh the pros and cons of each to determine which is best for their operations.

With the choice of equipment out of the way, the next thing operators need to do is make sure each of their drivers has been properly trained and certified. There is no point in investing a lot of money in top-of-the-line equipment without also making sure qualified drivers are working the machines. That’s where we come in.

We Train Forklift Drivers

The HGV Training Centre provides forklift training in addition to our other professional driving courses. Even though UK law does not require forklift operators to be licenced, greater numbers of employers are requiring training and certification to protect themselves against liability. Training and certification is considered a reasonable step that companies can take to guarantee workplace safety. That means failing to provide it could open a company up to liability in the event of an accident.

Our forklift-training programme focuses on safety and productivity in the modern workplace. We teach drivers everything they need to know about maintaining workplace safety while still maintaining a high level of productivity and efficiency. We cover everything from smooth fork operation to manoeuvring in tight spaces to properly carrying loads.

For more information about our forklift-training programme, contact us by telephone or through our website. New classes are forming regularly in our facilities all across Britain. When you train with us, you are training with one of the leading providers of commercial driver training in the UK.

Sources:

Plants & Works – https://pwemag.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/1482/Fuelling_a_forklift_fleet.html