Crown launches racking system safety course

Training organisation Crown Equipment’s driver division has launched a new course designed to reduce accidents associated with the use of double-deep and single-deep racking systems.
The double-deep training course focuses on safe and efficient methods for approaching, departing and monitoring loads when placing and picking pallets from steel storage racking systems. It also covers use of operator aids such as auto-levelling and cameras and also the functions of particular pieces of equipment.
The course was initially developed in conjunction with Customised Solutions, a business unit of Toll Group, to build competency within its workforce. It is now available for all Australian reach truck operators through Crown Commercial Training’s locations nationwide.
According to Mark Cowley, Executive General Manager at Customised Solutions, an analysis of safety incidents involving pallet placement into racking systems revealed that a high proportion were related to double-deep racking.
“Given the potential of these incidents to cause serious injury if products were displaced, it was imperative to look at all aspects of racking design and driver training, which were key contributors to the incidents,” Cowley said.
“We believe the adoption of consistent, correct techniques for material handling equipment into our culture will result in a much safer workplace, so establishing the right level of training was very important to us.”