FLT supervisors must be trained, warns RTITB

"Whilst there is a certain amount of responsibility placed on the forklift operator, it is up to management to oversee the operation," said Laura Nelson, operations director at the RTITB. "This helps to avoid accidents in the workplace and also prevents potential damage to valuable stock or equipment." She said even experienced, trained forklift truck operators should be routinely supervised and monitored when operating machinery to ensure that they are abiding by safety protocols, making it even more important to ensure the supervisor has up to date training. According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), the law requires the employer to provide adequate supervision and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) state that the employer must ensure all people who use, supervise or manage the use of work equipment have received adequate training. They must have enough training and knowledge to recognise safe and unsafe practices and understand the risks involved and how to avoid or prevent them. The RTITB warned that the sense of pressure to meet tight deadlines could lead an unsupervised operator to neglect safety protocols, resulting in mistakes being made or accidents occurring. "One of the best ways to avoid this is to ensure that not only the operators, but the supervisors and managers are completely up to date with their training." These skills are important for the safe and effective operation of materials handling equipment and accredited training and supervision is the most effective way to ensure proper safety precautions in the workplace. As with other roles in the workplace, supervisors should also be monitored and assessed to ensure standards are maintained.