2022 Tune-Up: 3 Ways to Save on Forklift Operation in the New Year

When it comes to forklifts, the purchase price is only the beginning of the investment. Costs of vehicle ownership and operation can be dramatically impacted by fuel, maintenance, labor, electricity and operator handling. 2021 vehicle supply shortages, rising purchase prices and increasing fuel and labor costs have led to rising operational costs for both small and large forklift fleets. These costs can be exponentially compounded when you factor in the high price tag of a forklift accident. Vehicle and facility repair, workers’ compensation impacts, lost team time, disruptions in operation – all can add up fast.

While some foundational operational costs (like fuel) cannot be controlled, mitigating the costs resulting from vehicle accidents is possible and small steps and investments can add up to big savings. As we look to the new year, we are sharing three key forklift operation areas you can consider to recover costs, bring money back to your bottom line and protect your team and total vehicle investment.

1. Sure-Up Safety Programs

According to OSHA, 70% of forklift accidents in the United States could be prevented with improved training and safety policies. While everyone hopes a forklift accident won’t happen on their production floor, accidents are common. One in 10 vehicles will be in an accident in their lifespan. Taking a critical view of safety moving into 2022 can tip the odds in your favor and reduce your risk.

• Revisit Operator Training and Policies
  Safety is an easy area to take for granted. The idea that “everyone knows the rules” can quickly lead to accidents and injury incidents, particularly in today’s employment landscape where turnover is becoming more prevalent and new team members are likely being added to your operation regularly. The new year is a great time to consider refreshed team training where policies and procedures are reviewed with all team members, operators and those who work around material handling vehicles. OSHA’s online eTool provides detailed resources to support creation and delivery of a refresher safety training.
• Consider Access Control Options
  Maybe you have seen the episode of “The Office” Should Michael Drive the Forklift?. While the show conveys Michael’s desire to drive the forklift in a funny light, the risks Darryl conveys are no joke. Ensuring only licensed and properly trained operators access forklifts is critical and recent technology advances in access control make it easier than ever to ensure that happens.

Both the Fleet iQ360 and Forklift iQ360 solutions deliver PIN access control so you always know who is driving, when. You can manage driver access in real-time and monitor the actions of each driver, getting critical data at your fingertips to help protect against the “what ifs” that can derail an operation.

2. Emphasize Driver Accountability

Increased operator accountability can have a direct connection to the reduction of forklift accidents, but time is increasingly stretched for supervisors who face rising demands and the impossible challenges of the need to be in multiple places at once.

• Forklift Monitoring through Telematics
  Forklift monitoring via telematics solutions can remove “I don’t know” and “it wasn’t me” from your operations, while making life easier for supervisors and managers. In addition to delivering data that can enhance productivity and operational efficiency, a right-sized telematics system that aligns with your operational needs can contribute to reduced risk of accidents.
  Both Fleet iQ360 and Forklift iQ360 deliver impact monitoring capability that lets you see when an impact incident has occurred and who was driving. Alerts allow issues to be addressed immediately and tracking over time provides valuable data to drive decisions related to the need for changes in policies, enhancements in training or broader operational shifts (such as path changes) to address issues and mitigate risk.

3. Fine-Tune Maintenance Procedures

Proactive preventative maintenance can go a long way in reducing the overall cost of ownership of your material handling fleet. When issues are identified early, they can be addressed before they lead to larger mechanical failures, lost time on vehicle and production impacts.

• Prioritize Daily Safety Checks
  Creating a preventative maintenance culture begins with prioritizing the importance of pre-start checks. Not only are these critical reviews required in the United States by OSHA (and subject to a minimum fine of $9,369 per incident if not completed), but can significantly contribute to reducing vehicle maintenance and repair costs. Additionally, nearly all forklift accidents caused by mechanical failures are preventable with these regular inspections.
  While the pre-start check process is important, it doesn’t have to be painful. Forklift iQ360 streamlines the pre-start check process to increase completion rates and get operators up and running faster. The mobile pre-start check solution is simple, OSHA compliant and eliminates the needs for paper and filing, making completed checks available online with the touch of a button.

See How Forklift Monitoring Can Benefit Your Bottom Line in 2022 and Beyond

Forklift monitoring through telematics solutions like Forklift iQ360 and Fleet iQ360 can reduce accident risks for your business and drive direct gains in cost reduction and increases in operational efficiency. As a leading provider of telematics solutions dedicated to forklift fleet safety and optimization, Collective Intelligence focuses on matching customers with the best solution to meet their individual operational needs. Our solutions are accessible and easy to use and maintain for any size fleet (from one vehicle to thousands). Plus, our support team is always available to help you get the most out of your solution.

If you are considering ways to tune up your forklift operations in the new year, reach out to connect with the team and get demo of the technology in action. We look forward to learning more about your operational and safety goals in 2022 and beyond.