National Forklift Safety Day is a vital reminder for the entire UK material handling industry about the importance of safe forklift operation.
Every year, this day highlights how proper training, awareness, and responsibility can prevent accidents, protect lives, and improve workplace efficiency. Additionally, it underscores the need to protect all workers involved in materials handling, from forklift drivers to warehouse staff, ensuring a safer environment for everyone.
At HL Training Services, we’re proud to support this initiative. As a trusted forklift training provider, our mission is simple:
Empower operators and employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to stay safe.
Forklift safety starts with proper training
Regular refresher courses save lives
Safety is everyone’s responsibility
Let’s continue to raise standards, reduce risks, and create safer working environments—today and every day.
In 2024, the focus of National Forklift Safety Day was a structured approach to incident management:
Prepare. Respond. Investigate. Report. Restart. Learn. Prevent.
This campaign highlighted the importance of building robust safety processes—ensuring that when incidents do occur, they are handled swiftly, investigated thoroughly, and used as learning opportunities to prevent future harm. For example, reviewing the causes of a raised load tipping or an improperly loaded pallet can help prevent similar incidents. It was a reminder that forklift safety isn’t a one-time tick-box exercise, but an ongoing commitment to improvement. Materials handling best practices continue to evolve, making regular review and adaptation essential.
Now in 2025, the message takes a powerful and more personal turn. This year, the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) is urging businesses to recognise the emotional impact that serious forklift accidents can have—not just on the individuals involved, but on their families, friends, and colleagues. Forklift accidents can result in serious injury to drivers, workers, and bystanders, highlighting the critical need for robust safety measures.
The campaign calls on all of us—employers and employees alike—to acknowledge the human cost of preventable accidents. A moment’s lapse in safety can lead to life-changing consequences, affecting mental health, wellbeing, and livelihoods.
At HL Training Services, we stand behind this message. We believe that creating safer workplaces means more than compliance—it means understanding the real people behind every statistic, and working together to ensure they return home safe every day. Only the designated driver should operate a forklift truck, and all drivers must be properly trained and certified. Machinery safety is paramount, as untrained operators handling industrial machinery such as forklift trucks and other industrial trucks can put themselves and others at risk.
Learn more about this year’s campaign: https://nationalforkliftsafetyday.co.uk
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Forklift safety is at the heart of every successful warehouse and material handling operation. Forklift trucks—commonly referred to as lift trucks—play a crucial role in moving goods efficiently, but they also present significant risks if not operated according to health and safety regulations. Every year, forklift accidents in the UK lead to serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities. That’s why it’s essential for forklift operators to receive comprehensive training and for employers to enforce strict safety regulations in the workplace. By prioritizing forklift safety, companies not only protect their employees but also ensure that their operations run smoothly and efficiently. Regular training, proper equipment maintenance, and a strong safety culture are key to preventing accidents and safeguarding the health of everyone involved in handling and operating forklifts.
The world of material handling features a wide range of lift trucks, each designed for specific tasks and environments. Counterbalance forklifts are the most commonly used, ideal for general warehouse operations and loading or unloading trailers. Reach trucks are perfect for accessing high racking in narrow aisles, maximizing storage space in busy warehouses. Articulated trucks offer exceptional maneuverability, making them a smart choice for locations with tight spaces and complex layouts. It’s essential that forklift operators are trained to operate the specific type of lift truck they’ll be using, as each model comes with its own controls, handling characteristics, and safety considerations. Employers must ensure that all employees are aware of the unique risks associated with each type of truck, especially when operating in challenging environments like narrow aisles, to minimize the risk of accidents and maintain a safe workplace.
Proper forklift operator training and certification are fundamental to safe and efficient forklift operations. Every forklift operator must complete a comprehensive training course that covers health and safety regulations, safe forklift operations, and correct load handling techniques. Training should also include hands-on experience with the specific type of forklift or industrial truck the operator will be using, ensuring familiarity with its controls, features, and safety devices. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide regular refresher courses and ensure that all forklift operators are up to date with the latest safety regulations and best practices. By investing in thorough operator training, companies can significantly reduce the risk of forklift accidents, protect the health of their employees, and maintain high standards of safety and productivity in their material handling operations.
Safe operation of forklifts is essential for preventing injuries and maintaining a productive workplace. Forklift operators must always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as a seatbelt, and remain vigilant about their surroundings—including other forklifts, pedestrians, and potential obstacles. It’s crucial to operate forklifts at safe speeds, avoid carrying loads that exceed the truck’s capacity, and ensure that every load is stable and secure before lifting or moving it. Operators should also be especially cautious when working in areas with limited visibility, uneven ground, or tight spaces, as these conditions can increase the risk of accidents. By following safety regulations and staying aware of their environment, forklift operators can help create a safer workplace for everyone.
Order pickers are a specialized type of material handling equipment designed to help forklift operators efficiently pick and place loads at various heights within warehouses and distribution centers. These machines are essential for operations that require frequent access to goods stored on high racking, allowing operators to safely reach and handle items that would otherwise be difficult to access. To operate order pickers safely, forklift operators must receive specific training that covers the unique controls, safety features, and operational procedures of this equipment. Employers should provide regular training and ensure that all employees are aware of the potential risks associated with order picker operations, such as working at height and handling unstable loads. By prioritizing safety and proper training, companies can maximize the efficiency of their warehouse operations while minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries.