Forklift and Gantry Crane Training Across the North West
GH Training delivers AITT-accredited forklift and overhead gantry crane training at customer premises across North West England.
We support warehouses, factories, engineering businesses, distribution centres, builders’ merchants and other employers that need practical instruction using their own equipment and workplace conditions.
Training can be arranged for one location or coordinated across several operational sites.
Call 01925 500796
On-Site Training for North West Employers
Operating conditions vary considerably between a distribution warehouse, production facility, loading yard and engineering workshop. Delivering training at your premises allows practical exercises to reflect the equipment and environment your employees will encounter at work.
Subject to a suitable training area and serviceable equipment being available, courses can incorporate:
- Workplace traffic routes and pedestrian controls
- Internal aisles, doorways and loading areas
- The loads normally handled by your business
- Relevant attachments and lifting accessories
- Local operating procedures
- Pre-use inspections and defect reporting
- Safe parking, isolation and shutdown procedures
- Communication between operators and other employees
Employers remain responsible for workplace familiarisation, supervision and authorising trained employees to operate independently.
Forklift Operator Training
Training is available for several categories of lift truck and warehouse equipment.
Counterbalance Forklifts
Counterbalance trucks are commonly used for vehicle unloading, yard operations, production support and moving goods between storage areas.
Courses cover equipment checks, stability, safe travel, load handling, stacking, de-stacking and practical assessment.
View Counterbalance Forklift Training
Reach Trucks
Reach truck training is intended for operators working with pallet racking and indoor warehouse storage systems.
Instruction can include pre-use checks, steering characteristics, safe travel, pallet retrieval and accurate placement at height.
Pivot Steer Trucks
Articulated Flexi and Bendi-type forklifts require appropriate instruction because their handling characteristics differ from conventional counterbalance and reach trucks.
Multidirectional Forklifts
Multidirectional equipment is frequently used where businesses need to transport timber, steel, pipework or other long loads through restricted spaces.
View Multidirectional Forklift Training
Additional courses include pedestrian pallet trucks, vertical stock pickers and mobile elevating work platforms.
Overhead Gantry Crane Training
Overhead and travelling cranes are used in engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, steel processing and other workplaces where heavy or awkward materials must be lifted.
Training can address:
- Pre-use inspections
- Crane controls and emergency stops
- Rated capacity and operating limits
- Travel paths and surrounding hazards
- Controlled lifting and lowering
- Load movement and positioning
- Avoiding shock loading and side pulling
- Communication during lifting operations
- Safe shutdown and defect reporting
The exact course content should reflect the crane, controls, loads and duties found at the customer’s site.
View Overhead Gantry Crane Training
Crane Operators and Slinger/Signallers
Operating a crane and attaching or directing a load are separate responsibilities. Employees involved in selecting lifting accessories, slinging loads or communicating with crane operators may require suitable slinger/signaller instruction.
The Health and Safety Executive states that crane operators and people involved in slinging loads or directing lifting operations must be trained and competent. It also requires lifting operations to be properly planned, appropriately supervised and conducted safely. HSE lifting-operations guidance
Employers should identify who will:
- Operate the crane
- Select and inspect lifting accessories
- Attach and detach loads
- Give signals or instructions
- Plan the lifting activity
- Supervise the work
GH Training can discuss the roles undertaken at your workplace and identify the relevant course requirements.
Training for Different Experience Levels
The correct course depends on the operator’s previous training and genuine practical experience.
- Novice training: For employees with no previous formal training or relevant operating experience.
- Experienced operator training: For suitable employees who have substantial practical experience but no recognised evidence of formal training.
- Conversion training: For trained operators moving to another equipment category or significantly different machine.
- Refresher training: For previously trained operators who require reassessment or updated instruction.
Refresher training may also be appropriate following unsafe operation, an accident or near miss, a prolonged absence from operating, or a significant change in equipment or working practices.
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Coordinated Training Across Multiple Sites
Businesses with depots, factories or warehouses in several North West locations can arrange a coordinated programme rather than treating each course as an unrelated booking.
To help plan the programme, provide:
- Each workplace address
- Equipment categories at every location
- Operator numbers and experience levels
- Shift patterns and production constraints
- Available equipment and training areas
- Preferred completion dates
Course requirements may differ between sites even when employees use broadly similar equipment. The workplace layout, attachments, loads and operating responsibilities should be considered at each location.
Preparing for On-Site Training
The customer will normally need to provide:
- Safe, serviceable equipment
- Relevant manufacturer instructions
- A suitable practical training area
- Representative loads or pallets
- Appropriate lifting accessories where applicable
- Required personal protective equipment
- Time for instruction and assessment without unsafe interruption
For crane courses, current examination records and information about the crane’s rated capacity and operating configuration should be available.
Under LOLER, lifting equipment must have adequate strength and stability and be positioned or installed to reduce the risk of a load striking someone, drifting, falling or being unintentionally released. HSE LOLER overview
Areas Covered Across North West England
GH Training delivers workplace courses across the region, including:
- Cheshire
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
- Liverpool
- Preston
- Bolton
- Wigan
- South Ribble
Other locations can be discussed when requesting a quotation.
Request a North West Training Quote
Tell us:
- Where the training will take place
- Which forklifts or cranes are used
- How many employees need training
- Their previous training and experience
- Whether employees operate, sling or direct crane loads
- Your preferred dates
GH Training will review the information and recommend the appropriate course or multi-site training programme.
Call 01925 500796