Enhancing Forklift Operator Training Through AI

Forklift operator training is one of the most popular terms searched on Google.

Everyone in the industrial market is trying to find new ways to ensure nothing interrupts productivity in the facility. If a forklift accident occurs or if damage is done to the racking system or any part of the facility, it disrupts the operation and drives up cost, on average, a couple hundred thousand dollars per year.

As we’re all trying to avoid the steep cost of repairs and expenses, we turn to forklift operator training to help decrease damages and injuries caused by forklifts.

What is Forklift Operator Training?

Forklift operator training is the process of training a person in the safe operation of a forklift truck. Operator Training typically includes both classroom and practical training under the supervision of an expert operator. In the United States only persons 18 years or older may operate a forklift (excluding farm equipment).

Why is Forklift Operator Training Important?

Forklift operator training is mandatory by law and can mean the difference between life and death for a forklift operator and people working around them. Check out this German forklift safety video that really drives the point home…

Forklift Operator Training Certification

Certification can be in-person, online or in virtual reality

There are many companies that offer certification for forklift training. It’s a great way for the forklift operator to get the hands-on experience in a controlled setting to learn or practice the most effective ways to engage and operate an electric, LP or gas forklift.

However, with the pandemic, companies had adopted alternative ways to provide forklift training such as virtual forklift simulator training. It provides the operator a way to practice in various environments, perfecting skills prior to taking them live in their own warehouse or plant. Virtual forklift simulators can focus on a particular area within the facility where the forklift operator is having issues such as tight aisles and turning corners. It’s a preventative measure in hopes that the operator will practice, learn and correct the action.

Even with a forklift simulator, the forklift operator still needs to go through the certification training program to gain the hands-on experience. A study conducted by OSHA, found forklift operators performed 61% better after forklift safety training. Insurance companies will lower the cost of Worker’s Comp coverage if the forklift operator goes through the certification and shows proof of completion.

Enhancing Forklift Operator Training

With Automatic Collision Avoidance

All the training and certification is great and certainly necessary, but unfortunately, it doesn’t stop an accident from occurring. If you pair training with a SIERA.AI S3 solution, now you can bring your accidents and costs due to forklift damage down as far as ZERO.

Here are 2 options for you to consider.

Both options below include a digital checklist that ensures OSHA compliance and safety. The system electronically notifies 1, 2 or 10+ people when a lift truck fails an inspection.

Option 1: S3 Pedestrian Detection System

• AI technology monitoring all 4 directions on the forklift every 60ms. What can you see in .06 seconds? That’s the purpose of the solution. Monitor distances around the forklift that’s important to you 10’, 4” your call.
• Install it on an electric, LP or gas lift truck.
• Gather actionable data as the S3 records and measures each impact separately so you know the when where and who.
• Now you can reduce accidents, detect pedestrians, and promote safety training with meaningful data.

Option 2: S3 with Slow to a Safe Stop

Get everything mentioned in Option 1, pedestrian detection, warnings and impact monitoring, but now add on something new. Really new for the electric forklift.

• Pre-define when you want the forklift to slow down and when it is to stop. As we all know, the forklift operator is busy doing his job. As it should be. We keep him, others and the facility safe by automatically slowing down and coming to a complete stop.
• If the driver doesn’t see the pedestrian coming…we do, the forklift slows down and stops.
• If the driver gets too close on a turn…the forklift slows down and stops.
• If a box falls…the forklift slows down and stops.
• If another vehicle gets too close…the forklift slows down and stops.

We take the operator’s reaction time out by overriding the driver. In those special circumstances where the driver can’t stop in time, no worries, we do.

How Can You Improve Forklift Operator Training?

With the S3 All-In-One Solution you get:

• Pre-shift digital checklist
• Pedestrian Detection
• Impact monitoring and slow to a safe stop

Together these 3 capabilities have helped our customers save over 11,000 forklift accidents in 2020 alone. To get the same results as our customers, and improve forklift operator training, download our free 5-Step Forklift Safety Strategy Guide below.