Safety was front and center at ARA of Michigan’s forklift training
By Connie Lannan
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Safety was front and center at ARA of Michigan’s forklift training

To help Michigan rental operators ensure they are in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) requirements under its Powered Industrial Trucks Standard (1910.178(I)), the ARA of Michigan offered forklift operator safety training free of charge March 15 at Chet’s Rent-All, Oak Park, Mich., and March 17 at Alta Equipment Co., Traverse City, Mich.

“The ARA of Michigan wanted to offer this training so our individual store owners do not have to seek out trainers on their own. Trainings such as these are one of the benefits of being part of the ARA of Michigan,” says Susan Irwin, vice president, Delux Rental, Ypsilanti, Mich., and ARA of Michigan president.

This training was exactly what rental operators wanted and needed, whether they were a veteran or a newcomer, according to Bill Kepke, director of safety and training, Chet’s Rent-All, based in Oak Park.

“I think it was a great opportunity that the ARA [the American Rental Association] was offering us as far as forklift training. It allowed us to get people qualified and gain knowledge about the safe and proper use of forklifts so they can spread this information throughout their operations with their co-workers,” says Kepke, whose operation hosted the March 15 event.

Kepke was impressed with the presenter, Kevin Gern, ARA vice president, education and risk management. “He was top-notch and kept everyone’s attention. I like how he talked about the safety that is involved in operating a forklift. People tend to overlook the simple things. For me, who has been in the industry for more than 40 years, it was a great refresher on things you take for granted and don’t think about while you are doing it. It gave me an opportunity to remember to slow down, reflect and say, ‘Wow, was I doing that wrong?’ I know our people were very impressed and thought it was a great learning experience,” he says.

Shawn Maynard, general manager, Allied Equipment Rental, Burton, Mich., also thought the training was extremely beneficial.

“There were four of us who went from the store. We just hired some new employees and wanted to make sure they were trained,” Maynard says. “Kevin covered all aspects. He went over all the safety procedures on how to inspect your job sites, how to inspect the forklift, things to look for, warning signs, all the checklists of things that have to be done before you can use it, the actual safety procedures of how to use it and park it, as well as if you notice something is wrong, what the proper procedures are to address those. I was very happy with the training. Now I don’t have to worry about my team because they know what they are supposed to be doing regarding forklifts.”

Eric Albrecht, manager, Vassar True Value Hardware & True Value Rental, Vassar, Mich., also appreciated the training opportunity.

“We wanted to go so we were compliant with industry standards on forklift training. Normally I would send my crew, but I wanted to go with them to bring home knowledge to other members of our team,” he says. “We were brought up to date on OSHA compliance and proper use of the forklift, which was nice. Anytime we can get additional training it is a good thing. We also had the chance to talk with other rental companies about some equipment they have. It is great to communicate with other companies. The entire event was definitely valuable.”

In addition to the training, the ARA of Michigan treated all in attendance to a free lunch.

For Albrecht, the day “put us in a good spot where we are up to date on the rules. We are all about training, so it just one more step of having qualified staff in the store for a particular position. It was just a great and informative class. The instructor did a very good job and kept us all engaged,” he says.

Albrecht “highly recommends” other rental operators take advantage of these opportunities. “When this training is offered for free to us as ARA members, the only cost we have involves the labor of sending our crews. Why would anyone not take advantage of a free class to better train our employees?”

Connie Lannan

Connie LannanConnie Lannan

Connie Lannan is special projects editor for Rental Management. She helps plan, coordinate, write and edit ARA’s quarterly regional newsletters, In Your Region. She also researches, writes and edits news and feature articles for Rental Management, Rental Pulse, supplements, special reports and other special projects. Outside of work, she loves to bake for others, go for walks with her husband and volunteer for her church and causes she believes in.

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