A Helpful Guide On Recruiting Forklift Operators

Forklift operation is one of the busiest jobs. It requires maximum concentration and steady output to keep up with customer demands. The factors call for highly skilled and qualified personnel for client satisfaction. Another essential aspect is the ability to observe the safety measures put in place by the organisation and governing body. It is the responsibility of the company to conduct forklift training for new employees.

The course is tailor-made to make the operators accustomed to the organisation’s work environment. The operator should have both soft and hard skills for efficient handling of customer requests. 

With the influx of unemployment, you will get piles of applications for an advertised position. It can prove hectic going through each applicant to determine the best fit for your company operations. To make this easier, we have compiled a list of some of the top priority factors when hiring a forklift operator.

1. Experience Level

The number of years one has spent in forklift operation depicts their competence. The higher the experience, the lower the training costs for the new employee. Ensure that the operator is conversant with the operation of the type of forklift you use in the warehouse. Although the skills are transferable, some machines are complex to operate without prior experience. Highly experienced operators also tend to be less likely to cause accidents because of their keenness to observe safety measures.

2. Excellent Communication Skills

We are social beings, and effective communications play a critical role in customer retention and conversion. The operator should be able to handle client request with utmost efficiency. Some customers are irritating, but the operator should strike a balance between retention and self-interests. Reading and following of the manufacturer’s instruction is also part of the communication aspect of the position. They should efficiently encode signs, pictorials, and texts in the user manual.

3. Pays Attention to Details

Delivery tasks require utmost care to avoid confusing customer orders. The operator should read, understand, and record the requirements of each client. For efficient operation, the employee should be able to adhere to safety measures put in place no matter how minute they are. Some acts of negligence may cost the company its profits or compensation. The legal penalties against an organisation can prove costly if an accident occurs and there are damages, deaths or injuries.

4. Reliable Worker

A day missed without informing the managers can disrupt the company activities and cause customer dissatisfaction. The operator should commit their availability when they are on duty for smooth learning of operations. The attributes go hand in hand with honesty because some employees can feign emergencies which are unavoidable. You should check the job history of the operator to determine their turnover over the years. Job hoppers can cost the company if trained and within the first year, they want to shift to another company.

5. Basic Mathematical & Safety Skills

The position of a forklift operator requires some calculation of loads, bills and quotes. The employee should meet this threshold to maintain efficiency in the warehouse. The operator should know the volume of the loads they are handling each day for easy projection of output. Safety is an essential factor when working with machinery. You should give a high priority to workers who have undertaken construction safety courses.

6. Organised

Warehouses should be kept neat and tidy for fast and efficient operations. The individual should have a considerable degree of organisation. The attribute is also critical in avoiding accidents in the workplace. The operator can easily account for various orders from clients.

Having a forklift operator, you can fully entrust with the operations of the warehouse goes a long way in increasing the productivity of your company. You should conduct a thorough assessment to get the best operator. Other important skills in this position include patience, ability to work under pressure, and flexibility.