26 WESTERN PALLET
3) Guest Speakers
People tend to tune out the same or similar messaging over time, whether the “beep beep” of a backup warning alarm or oft-repeated advice from the regular supervisor. To catch people’s attention, why not bring in a fresh speaker to talk about forklift safety and best practices. It could be someone from your local dealership, a 3rd party training provider or even perhaps someone internally like your maintenance manager who might provide a fresh and more interesting voice.
4) Signage and Communications
Review
Make June a time to review safety signage and markings. Soliciting feedback from the team, review this aspect of your safety system. Are the necessary signs in place? Are fire lane or emergency exit signs being ignored? Are some signs still in place that have become unnecessary because of changes in the plant? Is additional signage needed?
5) Refresher Training
Some plants coordinate forklift operator refresher training in June. This is an easy way to ensure that operator retraining stays up to date and is less complicated than tracking individual refresher training dates throughout the year.
6) Accident Simulations
Simulating a serious accident can be a great way to help employees practice effective emergency response and raise overall plant awareness of the hazard. If you decide to perform a simulation, start with a clear plan. Define the objectives, script the scenario, select participants, and assign roles.
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For example, simulate an accident involving a pedestrian struck by a lift truck. Your response procedures would probably include the operator stopping the truck and attending to the victim, communication with first aid and management, and stopping work in the immediate area to prevent secondary accidents. If an ambulance is required, spotters might be required at various points on the property to direct emergency vehicles to the accident scene.
After the simulation, take time to fully review the exercise to celebrate successes and identify opportunities for improvement.
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9 Celebrate with Food
Hosting a free lunch for employees can be an effective strategy for promoting forklift safety in a plant setting. Such events create a relaxed and engaging environment where employees can interact more openly with safety trainers and management. The informal setting of a shared meal can also facilitate interactive sessions like safety quizzes and demonstrations (see some of the points above), making learning about forklift safety more memorable and impactful. By incorporating these activities into the lunch, employees can engage in meaningful discussions and better understand the importance of safe forklift practices.
Wood packaging and pallet companies can significantly enhance their safety culture by participating in National Safety Month and National Forklift Safety Day. Through practical activities and events, they can effectively raise forklift safety awareness, reduce accidents, and foster a safer working environment. These efforts not only benefit the employees but also contribute to the overall success and reputation of the company.
Celebrating safety through social media, such as this post from WPA-member 48forty Solutions in 2023 can reinforce employee safety practices and demonstrate corporate commitment to employee wellbeing.
Forklift Safety Awareness
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