Safety induction is a brief, interactive training that teaches employees about the risks associated with their workplace. It also teaches them how they can stay safe while they work. These activities are great because they help reduce work stress, boost productivity, and make workplaces safer for everyone.
As a newly-hired forklift operator, you need to undergo such training to be acquainted with the present workplace setup and the type of forklifts being utilized by the company. Safety inductions are a crucial method to make sure that operators and other workers understand the safety requirements and hazards present in the new work environment.
Those operators who have not undergone safety induction training tends to get involved in an accident such as near-miss and property damage incident. They are negligible of the health and safety and don’t adhere to rules – and therefore, they have a higher probability of getting involved in a serious accident.
Safety induction is a great way to instill best safety practices and safety culture into the mind of the workers. In this training, workers tend to have a sneak peek of what they are going to expect when working in the company.
Here’s a Short Story of One of Our Readers, Charlie, a Forklift Operator, on How He Underwent Safety Induction Training
I am Charlie. Some 2 years ago, I was hired by QRS Company to be part of their fleet. QRS is known for having a chain of grocery stores with huge warehouses. I applied as a forklift operator and was assigned to the Milwaukee WI warehouse branch.
New employees were sent to safety induction training as part of the company’s policy.
It is important to have an overview of the company policies and procedures, especially regarding safety thus provision of induction training is crucial.
I was very much aware of the incidents involving forklifts so I am eager to learn and understand these policies.
That day, we went, together with some 10 newly-hired operators, to the function hall of QRS Company to attend the safety induction training.
The company usually holds this kind of event every time when there’s a batch of new employees yet to receive this training. Several new employees were present, coming from different departments.
We Attended the First Part of the Training – the Staff Induction
The first part of the induction training was all about general guidelines and company policies regarding safety. Mr. Daniels, the safety officer and our facilitator, mentioned the importance of having these kinds of training. Some people find these topics boring and redundant but I think knowing these guidelines will really help instill safety in the mind and put it into practice in the workplace.
Mr. Daniels continues by saying that a lack of knowledge in terms of safety will lead to hazards eventually. I totally agree with him. He talked about the hazards and risks present in the workplace–accidents and dangerous occurrences. These things can happen to anyone at any time. But the more important thing to note is that these things can be prevented. We were reminded to always report accidents immediately. In times when injuries or harm happen, we were also taught the location of first aid kits and how to use them.
Emergencies such as fire, and many others pose a serious threat. It is essential to know the location of the nearest fire and emergency exit, fire alarms, or evacuation area. The key is to be mindful of one’s surroundings.
He also iterated wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) to serve as an additional line of defense against exposure to hazards. Forklift operators have to put on a hard hat, safety glasses, protective gloves, and even reflective clothing to ensure safety. We are responsible for the safekeeping of this PPE.
Everyone, regardless of their work assignment, reviewed safe work practices.
The Second Part of the Training is Interesting – the Site Induction
After a short break, we went to an open lot for the second part of the training.
This time, employees coming from the same department were grouped in order to have a more in-depth discussion. Since we operate forklifts, it is necessary to know how to use them efficiently and safely.
Forklifts are actually powered industrial trucks used to move, raise, or lower large materials. There are different kinds of forklifts depending on function but they are commonly powered by either gas/fuel or electricity. Several parts of the forklift such as the mast (responsible for raising and lowering the load) and fork (carries the load) were shown. It is important to review these kinds of information from time to time.
After the introduction to the machine, we were given an orientation regarding what to do before, during, and after operating these trucks.
Before using the forklift (or any vehicle for that matter), we must inspect it first. Check the oil if it is at a normal level. Look for any cracks or leaks. Make sure the parts including the tires are in good condition. And remember to report any defective or unsafe vehicle.
We were told many times not to use a defective vehicle. Aside from the vehicle itself, we should also observe the work area where the truck will be operating.
The operator must check whether the floor surface, where the truck will be driven, is safe – no holes, slippery portions, or obstructions. Are ramps present? Are some areas inclined?
Since this machine carries a heavy load, we were taught to check the data plate to know the capacity to avoid overloading. Most of the load we will be handling would probably be boxes or crates containing grocery items. We were also reminded to place the heaviest part of the load near the front wheels and that the truck can be driven in reverse when the operator's forward view is obstructed. Reverse driving can be done in an incline such as in a ramp to avoid tip-over.
Always wear the seatbelt. A big challenge for operators like me in this industry is the presence of pedestrian traffic. Other workers are present in the warehouse so I need to be on the lookout at all times. At this point, Mr. Daniels emphasizes that accidents such as collisions, tip-overs, and falls are avoidable if we strictly follow guidelines.
The goal is to move safely. Always look in all directions before traveling and ensure you have a clear view. Operate at a safe speed and be mindful that other vehicles or forklifts may be present too. Slow down in case there is a slippery area or blind spots. Check if there are other workers passing by and never carry passengers. Maintain distance at all times. When raising or lowering loads, make sure they are secured.
Vehicles like these go through wear-and-tear so proper maintenance is necessary. Ensure they are free from excess oil or grease. Report and remove a vehicle that is not in good operating condition.
I surely learned a lot of things during that whole day training. But my greatest takeaway would be this: a safe working environment is a productive one. Whether you are operating a heavy-duty machine or doing office work, always observe safety guidelines. Our ability to follow simple instructions will surely help us in our daily endeavors.
The promotion of a safe and sound working environment is the responsibility of both employees and employers. Employers should see to it that they follow guidelines and standards and provide training and equipment for a safe workplace. Employees, on the other hand, must observe guidelines set by the company and be mindful at all times.
The second part is like refresher training. We are glad that we underwent it to familiarize ourselves with the trucks being used in the company.
I am Still with the Company
I started a new role the following Monday and worked hard to practice safety in everything I do. And until now, I am still working for the company and have progressed since – I am now a team lead.
The company has been good to us, employees, and we’re returning the favor by following the rules. We also would like to remind you that the QRS Company mentioned here is not the real name, we hid it to protect their name.
Stay safe everyone!
How Induction Training is Done – What We Did with My Previous Employer
- First of all, in order to continuously provide safety inductions to new hires, the company must provide a dedicated training facility and appoint an internal member (facilitator) of the organization who has sufficient experience in providing such training and assign an assistant to do the clerical works.
- Set attendees into groups to prevent overcrowding. Depending on the size of the training room/facility, the number of attendees can range from 10-20. When training a large group, the facilitator must use a microphone to make sure the facilitator’s voice is heard by everyone.
- Training attendees must be given reading materials such as pamphlets, guides, and booklets that they can use to learn about the company and its safety rules and regulations.
- Make the discussion of topics simple to make sure that everyone understands the subjects. Don’t use jargon unless the attendees are technical to understand those terms. Simple discussions make sure that messages are sent and understood by the attendees.
- Use video training materials and PowerPoint presentations to make the discussion more interesting and to capture the attention of the participants. We use this a lot even until now. We use first-hand experience and the company incident/accident reports and translate them into presentations.
- At the end of each training session, each attendee must be given a laminated ID card with his name on it attesting to the fact that he has undergone the safety induction. (Please note that this ID card is different from the forklift operator card that the operators may already have in their possession).
- The facilitator should keep a record of attendees who have undergone the training. Keeping a training records is in compliance with OSHA requirements. In this way, the business owner has something to show as solid proof to the OSHA inspector in the event the company is inspected or audited.
- We do not administer tests since this is induction and not a training assessment.
To Make a Conclusion
There are many risks associated with operating a forklift. Often, the operators of these machines are not given the proper training. These risks include accidents, injuries, and death.
It is important for companies to provide safety induction training to their employees who operate forklifts in order to reduce the aforementioned risks. These site safety inductions should be regularly updated and refreshed as new hazards emerge.
