Pauline Desmet | Head of Material Handling | 01 March 2022
When working with any type of Material Handling Equipment (MHE), ensuring an operator’s competency is a priority. The larger the piece of MHE being used, the more extensive training is needed. Much like a semi-truck driver is required to obtain a class A driver’s license before hitting the road, many MHE operators must obtain third-party certifications by accredited operator testing organizations before they can go to work.
Alistair Group believes that a competent and trained workforce is essential for customer service, safety and consistently high service standards. Training for material handling employees is divided into three phases: Basic, Specific job and familiarisation. Firstly, Basic training is conducted by a recognised accredited instructor or organisation, on lifting operations, slinging practice, crane directions and signals, mode factors and SWL’s (Safe Working Loads). Secondly, specific job training ensures the individuals are provided knowledge of the workplace and experience of any special needs and lifting operations/equipment. Lastly, familiarisation training ensures the individual will then operate on the job under close supervision until deemed competent.
Alistair Group ensures all lifting operations should be planned to ensure that they are carried out safely and that all foreseeable risks have been taken into account. Planning should be carried out by an appointed lifting person who has the appropriate knowledge for the lift being undertaken. Six Alistair Group employees were trained and certified in Lifting Planning – Appointed Person In accordance with the UK Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and British Standard BS 7121. They all obtained their certification at the end of last year.
We, at Alistair Group, ensure continued evaluation of collective performance to provide assurance that team competency has been completed to the required Standard, that any risks have been assessed and that the collective training delivered value, and is recorded on the training competency records.
