I have turned up to train staff on how to make a pallet load safe as we keep having loads falling off of the tail lifts.

The management team in the warehouse side have told me I cant train them from the safe system of work as they cant do it like that as the pick lists dont allow them to .

So, no training taking place

I am stunned!

Their way is very unsafe and has loads leaing and collpasing. You should not stack lead acid batteries more than 3 high. States everywhere I have looked. Id put pictures on here if I could lol

And for future training, put a pack together for management so that when the next round of refresher training or new employee induction training is required, line management train employees in the new safe method of pallet stability.

Sounds like you may have to investigate solutions with warehouse operations, pick list sequencing can be changed if required and you've got a solid argument for this.

What's the issue?

For your own protection you need to document this and raise it with more senior management. Then you may wish to consider your employment options...

What is a pick list ??

lisar, I'm with Jake on this matter.

Normally I won't proceed with any training until managers and supervisors are aware of it and in agreement with the purpose and content of the training.

Get them on your side and you'll avoid the problems that you are having.

Think of the purpose of the training - avoid loads falling off tail-lifts. As well as the unsafe aspect, their may be a commercial aspect too - falling loads may get damaged, products to replace, packing to replace, waste of production time etc.

If that's the case then a new procedure is justified. So get the supervisors and managers involved in the problem-solving, make them think they are driving force on this matter.

They'll even get browny points if the problem is solved. Your input is to ensure the new procedure will be safer - no browny points for you but at least you'll have more purpose and more fun during the training.

John

Do the managers agree the current practice is unsafe and therefore needs to change. Or Do they think it is unsafe but work must go on. Or do they think that the current practice is safe ?

I can't help feel your next step depends on the answers to the above. If they feel it is currently safe first you need to convince them it is not, if indeed it is not.

I agree with a lot of the other posts generally and possibly needing to cover yourself. However you also can't go running to senior management every time either.

If they agree it is unsafe and something should be done why not arrange another meeting with them (and possibly a picker or whatever they are called) where each of you will be expected to bring some solutions to the table for discussion). That way they also have to bring a solution and not just shoot yours down.

Identify their real problem, safer = more time = less work done ? so come at it from their point of view. Be radical - different pallet for the batteries allowing loading at ground level and lifting into place ( this can be done without the vehicle present - Plus point).

You need a win win solution if you can, otherwise have a solution that will work but may require capital outlay and a solution that works but takes more time - let them pick.

Or acceptance from high up the food chain any resulting accidents from current method is acceptable to the company.

Nice to have a good problem to get your teeth into!

There is one more issue here, the pallets / cages falling off the tail-lifts.

They appear not to have lift guards attached to the tail-lift, to stop the load sliding / rolling off.

Sounds a bit like a national company I worked at several years ago.