Are you looking for ways to make the most out of your forklift fleet? That is a great attitude to have. Nevertheless, operating a forklift can be a daunting task whether you are a beginner or an expert. Do you find your operators overwhelmed at the prospect of daily material handling applications or warehouse initiatives? Do you find your staff and workers trying to find new, better ways to tackle the same old tasks? The good news is there are fundamental and rudimentary steps that you can talk to enhance and optimize daily forklift operations from a macro-level warehouse standpoint. Whether it be the integration of new equipment, assurance of proper lighting, or continuous safety training, these are behaviors and practices you can take to build up consistency in your forklift operations. Here are three suggestions to cross all new thresholds in efficiency, productivity, and safety across the warehouse:

1) Proper Lighting – As it has been championed in many articles, proper lighting can lead to all kinds of improvements enterprise-wide. From a forklift operations standpoint, proper lighting ensures all moving parts are secured under the best visibility conditions and also enhance the ability to maneuver in notoriously difficult areas to negotiate. From a perspective narrow tiers or undulating corridors, optimal lighting is key in making the most out of your forklift operations in these confined and taxing arenas. Very simply, you don’t want to keep your employees in the dark whether that be a literal or figurative metaphor. Simply changing lighting configurations or introducing LED lighting can be a great way to get started with this bullet-point.

2) Promote Continuous Safety Training – In addition to team building and regulatory compliance, continuous safety training is essential to promote conformance to safety practices across all business units. Whether it be forklift operations or general labor, safety training also helps employees get the job done in easier and more effective fashion. Furthermore, an attitude of continuous improvement and consistent safety practices bolsters efficiency and productivity across the board. In addition, enhanced safety measures are also known to reduce liabilities, expose vulnerabilities, and drive the bottom line due to decreases in compensation claims. Thus, it essential to foster this kind of initiative in daily forklift operations be that it is a sure-fire way to maximize your endeavors.

3) Integrate New Equipment – Sometimes it is paramount to simply incorporate the latest technologies and features to aid your forklift operations. According to DC Velocity, new lift truck technology, ergonomic designs, and cutting-edge safety features aid operators to become more proficient, comfortable, and resourceful. Furthermore, these mechanisms last longer and usually cost less to operate from a maintenance perspective. Therefore, give your warehouse a competitive edge with the newest equipment. Many of these vehicles and components are built with smart and green platforms so they are eco-friendly, user-focused, and supply chain-oriented. If you are hoping to make the most of enterprise-wide key performance indicators, LEAN process improvements, or Six Sigma methodologies then integrating these innovative contraptions are a great way to begin.