FEATURE LOADING BAYS & DOORS TRAIN TO MINIMISE RISKS
RTITB managing director Laura Nelson explains how some commonly encountered risks can be minimised through accredited training for operators, staff and supervisors alike
A further significant cause for loading bay accidents can be poor supervision of the operation. Supervision can help to minimise bad practice and ensure that all staff are adhering to regulations. RTITB accredited supervisor training
helps to ensure that both permanent and temporary forklift operators and loading staff are being properly supervised and protected from potential accidents. It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to ensure that all staff have the correct training and qualifications.
PROPER ASSESSMENT AND PREVENTION All of these issues can be resolved and/or avoided through proper risk assessment and prevention tactics. Initial training and refresher training
orklift operations in warehouse loading bays can pose significant safety risks for both forklift operators and pedestrians and require careful management. One of the most effective ways to help reduce the risk is through accredited training for the forklift operator and the manager or supervisor. Varying docks and vehicles with
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different specifications pose difficulties among operators if they have not been trained on the particular equipment they are required to operate.
JOB AND FAMILIARISATION TRAINING Specific job and familiarisation training on the actual type of equipment they are required to operate is especially important for visiting or temporary operators who may not be familiar with
the equipment or the operation. A lack of direct communication between drivers and warehouse staff can contribute to safety risks when pedestrians and forklifts are required to work in the same areas. It is important for forklift operators to be aware of their environment including pedestrians and hazardous conditions. During wet weather for instance, water can collect in the loading bay, causing a slip hazard and both forklift operators and pedestrians must be aware of that. Through familiarisation training operators become accustomed both to the workplace and the equipment, putting the skills that they have learned into practice in real life situations to raise awareness of potential risks and avoid accidents in the future.
It is very important for forklift operators to be aware of their environment including pedestrians and hazardous conditions
help to ensure that forklift operators and supervisors are aware of the risks involved with loading bays and carry out operations safely. Specific job and familiarisation training are part of the HSE guidance on forklift operator training and particularly important to train operators for specific applications including loading bays in the warehouse. Warehouses and equipment vary between operations and the pressures of the working day can often lead to carelessness and accidents. To prevent accidents from occurring within loading bays a combination of thorough accredited training and supervision is the most effective option.
RTITB T: 01952 520200
www.rtitb.co.uk
Enter 301 GEARING UP FOR GROWTH WHILE SOLVING SPACE DILEMMA
Business models and practices change and companies often need to work within legacy buildings that don’t match current needs. Commercial diesel power and transmission distributor Mitchell Powersystems overcame these problems by calling in rapid building specialist Smart Space to provide more loading bay facilities and so liberate valuable warehouse space at their centralised distribution site. “Prompt delivery is a priority for our customers and we decided that we
could provide a better service to them with a centralised distribution hub rather than a network of regional depots,” explains logistics manager Gene Laker. “One of our existing buildings met most of our needs but lacked adequate space for orders to be collated and for sheltered vehicle loading and unloading. Footings were already in place for an extension but we feared that conventional construction would be costly, time-consuming and highly disruptive.” Smart Space has provided the company with a 20 x 25 metres open- ended covered loading bay to the existing warehouse. This is a lightweight,
S6 MAY/JUNE 2015 | MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS
permanent steel structure clad in ocean blue panels to match the existing building. This allows vehicles to be loaded/unloaded under cover, provides extra outdoor storage and releases space within the main facility for more efficient storage and stock management. The Smart Space system uses strong but lightweight, roll-formed steel
sections in place of conventional hot rolled steel. Ground loading forces are low so such buildings generally have lighter and less costly foundations than conventional construction, saving time and money. In this case, footings for a conventional extension were in place, enabling an exceptionally speedy build at a cost of just under £50,000. “The installation went very well, the guys worked really hard to get it
completed with little disruption to our operation,” concludes Laker. “On- site time was less than one month. We are very pleased with the result.”
Smart Space
www.smart-space.co.uk
T: 01827 898600 Enter 302
/ MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS
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