Thank you. oldmanforklift, for helping to answer my question.

Your description of what happens in many companies is a sad reality. On the other hand, I have seen what happens - for the better - when first-line supervisors learn and apply effective instructional and evaluation practices to their own operators. EVERYTHING starts to improve - forklifts are in better repair, work standards become more realistic, relations between supervisors and their employees get better, and incident rates start falling.

Clearly, a supervisor who is authorized by his own management to learn and apply effective instruction and evaluation is in the fortunate position of having influence with the person who controls the purse strings. I've seen this happen, and it is encouraging to see how the more enlightened managers will include "forklift stuff" on their agenda. As many times as I have seen management agenda's start including "forklift stuff", my constant hope is that they KEEP it on their agenda.

Best wishes,

Joe_m
LIFTORdotCOM

Might be a good idea if management is truly committed to safety. What do we do with the companies that only hire operators that already have driver certification cards and think they need to do nothing else? When money is tight, corners are cut and safety is a corner that seems to be early in the process.

As long as we are dreaming of a perfect system. There needs to be training of those individules in companies that determine what repairs are to be made to the forklifts. Often the written and verbal comunication from the mechanic or CSR falls on ears that can't authorize the necessary repairs to keep the truck in safe operating condition. The customers internal communications are poor and nothing is done untill an accident occures. These individules need to learn the applicable OSHA & ANSI regulations pertaining to forklifts. How the Safety inspections are done and why they need to authorize the repair of the issues when notified.

Just wishfull thinking!!!!
Safety doesn't hurt!