By Louis Iannaco
In every wholesale operation, stacks, bundles and rolls of raw material and finished products of various shapes, sizes and weights must be moved. Excessive and inefficient material handling eats into productivity/profits. And manual material handling opens the door to the risk of costly injuries.

Efficient material handling systems and safe operation of equipment such as powered industrial trucks supply solutions to these problems.

There are many types and sizes of powered industrial trucks, or forklifts, designed for different jobs including the moving of materials and stock to elevating personnel.

According to a study by a leading insurance provider, each year in the U.S., nearly 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift-related incidents.

With these statistics top of mind, in what ways are distributors making their workers aware of the risks of operating or working near forklifts or other machinery? “All of our warehouse employees are certified and licensed in the safe operation of forklifts,” said Jeff Hamar, president/CEO of Galleher Corp. “We have an ongoing safety program managed by our human resources department. Its program includes monthly training sessions, constant supervisor oversight and regular inspections of all facilities and equipment. The safety of our employees is our No. 1 priority.”

According to Scott Rozmus, president of FlorStar Sales, with regard to the company’s safety-related practices, “certainly our firm complies with all applicable law and ensures employees receive appropriate notice of and training regarding relevant legal and business safety standards and procedures. FlorStar works with outside firms to ensure that our safety practices encompass all of the latest thought and teaching, with a goal of being beyond, rather than merely ‘at,’ what is minimally necessary.

“We have policies in place regarding access to/operation within areas involving our lift vehicles,” he explained, “and have taken steps to cordon off areas of the facility, utilizing physical, mechanical and computer/security barriers to prevent unauthorized FlorStar/outside personnel from accessing such areas. Employees involved in the operation of our lift vehicles not only receive specific training in regard to their safe operation, but are positively/negatively ‘incentivized’ on safe operation thereafter.

“Consistent, safe operation results in additional income opportunities,” Rozmus added, “whereas failure to observe appropriate safety/operational parameters results in discipline up to and including termination, even for first-time offenses in certain situations.”

According to Terry Gray, senior vice president of marketing NRF Distributors, “Overall, we promote a culture of safety through training and continued reminders. Supervisors are held accountable for safety. We have also developed employee safety committees tasked with maintaining an ongoing program of commitment to safety.”

How can distributors reduce the risk of forklift incidents or other machinery in their operations? “It begins with maintaining the equipment in excellent operational condition,” Hamar said. “Employee training on the proper use of equipment and a comprehensive safety program must be in place. We work with our supervisors, our human resources people and their workers’ compensation insurance safety experts on a regular basis to ensure that our safety program is meeting all of our expectations.”

Gray concluded that NRF makes its employees very aware of the OSHA standards and requirements regarding the operation of forklifts as well as other machinery. “Our training is comprehensive and provided to each employee at time of hire as well as annually.”