Forklift trucks are indispensable in many industries, including manufacturing, warehousing, and construction. However, their operation poses significant risks if proper safety practices are not followed. Every year, National Forklift Safety Day serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of safety protocols and training in workplaces that utilise forklifts.
This year, National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) 2024, organised by the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), is set to take place with the theme “Prevent – Manage – Learn” with the initiative spanning from June 11 to December 9, focusing on the comprehensive management of forklift incidents through a detailed seven-stage cycle. This extended campaign format underscores the commitment to making every day a National Forklift Safety Day by continually emphasising safety practices and learning opportunities.
Key Messages and Stages of NFSD 2024
The campaign is structured around the following seven stages, each highlighting critical aspects of forklift safety:
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- Prepare (June 11): Focuses on proactive measures to prevent incidents.
- Respond (July 10): Outlines immediate actions to take following an incident.
- Investigate (August 8): Guides on conducting thorough investigations to determine the root causes of incidents.
- Report (September 13): Covers legal and procedural requirements for reporting incidents.
- Restart (October 12): Details the steps necessary to safely resume operations post-incident.
- Learn (November 10): Stresses the importance of learning from past incidents to prevent future occurrences.
- Prevent (December 9): Concludes with strategies to prevent incidents, emphasising ongoing vigilance and safety culture.
Importance of Continuous Safety Education
The NFSD 2024 campaign is designed to provide a continuous stream of educational content, resources, and practical guidelines to help companies and their employees stay informed and prepared. By spreading the campaign over several months, the UKMHA aims to embed safety deeply into the operational culture of businesses, ensuring that safety is not just a one-day focus but a daily practice.
David Goss, the Technical Director of UKMHA, highlighted the campaign’s goal:
“With the theme ‘Prevent – Manage – Learn’, this year’s National Forklift Safety Day will adopt a different format from previous campaigns. Rather than taking place on a single day, National Forklift Safety Day 2024 will be extended over different days across a seven-month period, as we aim to make every day National Forklift Safety Day”.
How to Get Involved
Businesses and individuals can participate by engaging with the campaign’s content, attending events, and promoting safety messages on social media using the hashtag #NationalForkliftSafetyDay. This collaborative effort can help foster a safer working environment across the material handling industry.
For more detailed information and to access resources related to NFSD 2024, you can contact us or visit the National Forklift Safety Day website.