FEATURE HEALTH & SAFETY
Understanding the three stages of materials handling equipment operator training
As the ‘off-the-job’ nature of the
Laura Nelson, managing director of RTITB, the workplace transport training regulatory body, explains why understanding the different stages of operator training is so crucial for employers to ensuring safety in materials handling operations
previous stage makes instruction in some elements of the site impossible, site layout and rules form an important part of Familiarisation Training and these can be covered at this stage.
AUTHORISATION TO OPERATE It is clear to see how operators receiving only Basic Training will be inexperienced and out of their depth when faced with operating in the live environment. That is why only after all three stages of training are completed and recorded satisfactorily should you issue an ‘Authorisation to Operate’, acknowledging that the employee is qualified to operate specific equipment, within a specific environment. However, operator training is an on-going process that does not just stop after these three stages. On-going supervision, assessment and Refresher Training are all key to maintaining competence. For more information, download the
M
aterials handling operations in warehousing and logistics are often
fast-paced operations where a wide range of equipment is used, from forklifts, to pallet trucks, stackers and reach trucks. If machine operators are at the controls of vehicles they do not fully understand, this operating environment can present significant risks and, in some cases, can prove catastrophic. All too often employers believe that
their operators are qualified once they have attended and passed Basic Operator Training, but this is a misconception. This must be backed up by Specific Job Training and Familiarisation Training before an employer can authorise them to operate in their workplace. So, what are the stages of operator training?
BASIC OPERATOR TRAINING This is the foundation and it provides a solid base upon which more specific training can be built. It should always take place “off the job” and cover the basic practical skills of operating a lift truck – simple manoeuvring and basic hydraulic control. As well as learning to operate the machine, operators will also learn about the risks and hazards associated with operation. The training also covers important skills such as pre-use inspection and routine basic maintenance like refuelling or battery care.
SPECIFIC JOB TRAINING At this stage of training, context is added to the basic skills already learnt. In
26 MARCH 2018 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
Specific Job training, your operator will learn about the operating principles that apply to the particular equipment they will be using, with focus on any attachments they may use. This is extremely important as the
machine used in Basic Operator Training may not be identical to the machine that they will be using day-to-day. However, your operator will also learn about the types of conditions they are personally likely to encounter at work. For example, confined areas, the racking system, cold stores, other vehicles and the surfaces they will be operating on. Importantly, during Specific Job
Training, your operator will also be instructed on site rules such as speed limits, pedestrian areas, traffic flow and PPE. Specific Job Training must take place away from the job; it is often possible to combine this with Basic Operator Training and can be theoretical or practical.
FAMILIARISATION TRAINING The third stage is closely supervised training that introduces your operator to the ‘live work’ environment for the first time. In Familiarisation Training, the skills and knowledge that have been gained over the first two stages start to be put to use in the workplace. Initially, your operator carries out simple tasks before building up to more complex operating procedures. This allows them to develop their skills and build their confidence.
free e-leaflet ‘Training Recommendations for Workplace Transport’ from:
www.rtitb.co.uk
Construction workers must receive more specialist safety advice
Recent research findings from Arco, one of the UK’s leading safety companies, suggest construction workers require more specialist safety advice in their jobs, as 35 per cent reveal they have never received training or guidance on specialist PPE from their employer. According to the research, more than one in four construction workers (28 per cent) feel that employee safety and well-being is not a priority for their employer. With health risks such as asbestos, construction dust, lifting and carrying, noise, and vibration, construction workers need to ensure they are fully protected against potential dangers, both short and long-term. Specialist PPE protects against the dangers that are
inherent in a worker’s job. For example, on a construction site, equipment that offers respiratory, hearing, and eye protection are normally essential. However, according to the research, 65 per cent of respondents have never been face fitted for respiratory protective equipment. Despite unearthing the need for specialist training, the research emphasised that construction workers themselves consider PPE to be an integral part of keeping them safe at work (95 per cent), and feel a personal responsibility for their own safety at work.
www.arco.co.uk
/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT
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