The run up to Christmas is traditionally the busiest time of year for many businesses, especially those in warehouses and distribution centres. This year, Midland Pallet Trucks is shining a spotlight on safety concerns ahead of the pre-Christmas rush, to help ensure that all staff in these environments remain safe as they work.
The Health and Safety Executive has found that more than 4,500 injuries involving hand pallet trucks and similar lifting and handling aids are reported every single year – and when workplaces are busy and chaotic, there is a heightened chance of accidents or injuries. Now, Midland Pallet Trucks wants to remind business owners of their health and safety obligations, as well as spreading the word about appropriate training for staff operating heavy tools or machinery.
Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Midland Pallet Trucks, says, “Hand pallet trucks are one of the most popular pieces of equipment in many workplaces across the UK. They don’t actually require any formal training or qualifications to operate, but this shouldn’t lull workplaces into a false sense of security. Pallet trucks, when incorrectly operated, can be every bit as dangerous as heavier machinery, causing serious accidents or injuries in the worst case scenarios.”
He adds, “Christmas is notoriously busy for staff in stockrooms, warehouses, distribution bays and other industrial settings, and we want to encourage businesses to really focus on the safety of their staff this year, rather than succumbing to the pressure of the festive rush.”
Keeping staff healthy and injury-free is not only an obligation – it also has plenty of benefits for businesses. Having one or two staff members out of action during a particularly busy week can cause a drop off in productivity, and the knock on effect can impact customers and end-users. It’s always in a business’ best interests to ensure their staff are fit and firing – and that means taking steps to ensure they fully understand how to operate the equipment they’re using.
It’s also important to keep pallet trucks and other lifting aids in top condition during this busy time. A malfunctioning truck can cause accidents just as a poorly trained employee can. For businesses, it pays to increase the frequency of maintenance checks on pallet trucks during peak season, to ensure issues can be flagged up way before they start to cause an issue in the work environment.