Ensure a Secure Warehouse Floor with Safety & Training Courses

June 09, 2022

Every job requires training, but training doesn’t always mean the difference between life and death.

The safe and effective operation of forklifts and warehouse materials is critical for every aspect of a business. This not only keeps the supply chain moving so businesses can continue to fill orders or move product, but safely maneuvering forklifts is critical to every employee’s health and safety.

In a seven-year span analyzed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 614 workers lost their lives in forklift-related incidents. More than 7,000 people a year sustain non-fatal injuries that cause them to lose days at work. A warehouse is a fast-paced, constantly changing space that can be dangerous, so ensuring that forklifts are operated safely is of paramount importance to workers and their employers.

“It’s imperative that every person who operates a lift truck is trained to the highest level,” says Andy Levin, President & Co-Owner, MHS Lift. “We live by that rule in our own warehouse, and it’s why we offer safety and training programs to bring these safety techniques to other businesses, too.”

In-person safety and training courses are once again up and running, with COVID-19 safety protocols and social distancing in place. MHS Lift offers two training courses:

  • Operator Safety Training – An MHS Lift instructor visits a group of truck operators at their facility to provide classroom work and discussion as well as practice on specific lift trucks. This training is offered in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and optimal class size is around 10 people. Training meets all federal and state OSHA requirements; employers will certify the training, which lasts three years.
  • Train the Trainer – Hosted at MHS Lift’s state-of-the-art training center, this comprehensive two-day session equips managers and team leaders with the skills they need to provide safety training to their own employees or team members. Class sizes are usually capped around 12 people and students learn how to identify poor driving or operation behaviors, as well as how to reinstruct and correct their employee or team member.

“These classes are a great resource for anyone who needs to use a forklift for work,” says Richard Scaricamazza, MHS Lift training instructor. “You’ll get a nice variety of employees in the classes – you can have a student from a small company that operates one pallet jack, and some students who have a fleet of 70 lifts at their disposal.”

Richard, a veteran of 31 years with MHS Lift, appreciates the importance of the lessons he is teaching.

“I tell the students, ‘If you don’t take it seriously, you can get seriously hurt.’ There are no bumps and bruises with forklifts,” he says. “It’s especially gratifying to see how the trainers get excited once they are equipped with everything they need to effectively train their team. They know they’ve been given the task of making sure their team goes home with their fingers and toes, so they see the importance of that role.”

To learn more about MHS Lift’s Safety & Training courses, call 1-877-647-9320 or visit https://mhslift.com/safety-training/.