What message does this picture convey? Is it “normal” or a sign of a larger problem? If your teenager’s car looked like the forklift in the picture, would you be concerned about his or her safety?
Decimated paint tells a truth we cannot ignore. Paint is an indicator of operator priorities and performance. Every inch of damaged paint indicates something was hit … first a busted pallet, then a steel post and later a rack leg.
What – or who – is next?
ProLift’s trainer, Tony Jones, shares his customer experience.
“A former train-the-trainer student contacted me a year after his class with information relevant to damaged forklift paint. After the trainer class he requested his maintenance department touch up the paint on the forklift fleet. He then told the operators they would be accountable for damaged forklifts – even the paint! A year later, only 50% of the budgeted funds for damaged product had been used. My student attributed the savings to the change in attitude toward more cautious operation.”
Real money – and lives – can be saved.
When we observe beaten up forklifts, it’s time to react and never accept it as “normal”. Poor paint conditions may reflect an operator’s relaxed attitude toward safety, which can lead to an accident or fatality. Implement safety training and reinforce the messages. The changes in operator attitude lead to cost savings and a safer work environment.
Interested to learn more about forklift operator training? Contact our Safety Specialist for class dates and pricing at 800-583-4023.
