Case study – The Lift Truck Operator

Richard works for a distributor of yarns to the textile trade. He is employed as a general duties operator and is based in Leicestershire. How would you outline your role? I work in a warehouse carrying out various duties which include driving a forklift truck. What are your responsibilities? Each day goods are delivered to the warehouse. We need to create a goods return note and count the number of cartons or pallets delivered. We also need to check the lots are correct. The goods on pallets are then moved using the fork lift truck. Some goods arrive in cartons, so they have to be hand-loaded onto a pallet before we can move them. The yarn is stored in the warehouse until we load up the outbound vehicles and then it's driven to customers throughout the UK. It's important that we use an efficient system to manage incoming and outbound goods, as there can be financial penalties if we don't throughput the goods within a set time period. We need to complete relevant paperwork and delivery notes. We are also responsible for ensuring the warehouse is clean and tidy and that health and safety standards are followed. What hours do you work? I work 40 hours a week; Monday to Thursday 8.00am until 5.00pm and 8.00am until 3.45pm on Fridays. I get a ten-minute break in the morning and another in the afternoon and I have an hour for lunch. Finishing early every Friday is a great perk. What is your working environment like? I work in an old, large warehouse. Within the warehouse is office area where we eat and socialise during our breaks. We also do our paperwork there. Who do you work with? It's a small team and we all work together. There are five of us in the warehouse; three lorry drivers and two fork lift and general-duties staff. There is also an office with management and administrative staff. All the warehouse and driving staff are qualified to drive fork lift trucks so can muck in when needed. What skills or qualities do you need? A fork lift licence is essential and you need to enjoy physical work. You need to have common sense and to be able to use your initiative. You must be able to anticipate what is going to happen next, so you can be one step ahead of the deliveries for that day. It helps to work well as part of a team. Why did you choose this type of work? I left school after my A levels and knew that I didn't want a job where I was behind a desk. I wanted a job that was hands-on, where I could learn a trade. I went to a recruitment agency and they found me a placement at a warehouse. After working there for a year the company paid for me to do my fork-lift licences. I stayed with that company for four years and then came to work here. What training have you done? Getting my licences (reach and counter balance) has been the main thing. As well as learning how to drive a fork lift truck we are trained on maintenance and vehicle- safety checks. The most popular licence is the counter balance, although it's worth getting your 'reach licence' as you earn more money with that. My current employer knows how important it is to keep skills up to speed so I've recently had a reassessment for my licences. I've also done health and safety training. Do you use any special tools or equipment? At our company we use three different types of fork lift truck: electric, which charges up over night, diesel fuel and gas (using Calor gas). For health and safety procedures everyone in the warehouse has to wear high vis (visibility) jackets and steel-toe-capped boots. What do you like about your job? I really enjoy driving; it's great to have a job where I am driving about and not stuck in an office. I like the fact that there is overtime and the opportunity to earn more money if I want it. What are the main challenges? You must follow health and safety procedures and ensure that the best practice is followed. How do you see your future? I have a secure job and enjoy working for my current employer

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