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