When working as a Reach Forklift Driver, you’ll be required to wear reasonably fitted clothes, including fitted t-shirts, company-branded clothing, and high-visibility jackets. Clothing should not be loose as this can be dangerous when working with machinery.
As a Reach Forklift Driver, your role is important for the smooth operations of the warehouse. You’ll be required to use your concentration and attention to detail to ensure that goods and materials are stored, handled, and transported correctly.
Becoming a Reach Forklift Driver requires specific training and certification, so make sure that you keep your licences within date and know the specific providers for renewing or gaining the right training. In the UK, there are various approved training companies: Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT), Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSR), Lantra Awards, National Plant Operators Registration Scheme, and Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). It is also important that you work safely so make sure that your eyesight or glass prescriptions are regularly tested, wear sensible footwear for walking and driving in a warehouse, and that your clothing is tucked in.
Outside of the training and certifications needed to become a Reach Forklift Driver, there are some key skills that can help you perform well within the role. These skills are centred around teamwork and hand-eye coordination which are vital for being able to operate this machinery safely.
The first skill necessary if you’re looking to become a reach forklift driver is spatial awareness. You’ll be needing to transport and store goods and materials both throughout the warehouse floor and at height so spatial awareness is necessary for the safety of the products, as well as ensuring anyone working on the warehouse floor is at a safe distance from your vehicle. You’ll also be requiring precision to make sure that goods are stored and grabbed correctly from shelving, even at height.
When it comes to being a Reach Forklift Driver, you will need to have a good understanding of how your machinery operates. This not only includes the ability to manoeuvre all parts of the forklift accurately, but also an understanding of the maintenance of your machinery. This way, you’ll be able to notice any damage to the vehicle, troubleshoot common problems, and understand the safety necessities when operating your machinery. By having the right expertise about your vehicle, you can ensure the safety and performance of your role.
Working in a warehouse required strong communication skills. While you will be working alone on your forklift, you will need to communicate and work as a team with the other members, and other forklift drivers, within the warehouse. This means that you’ll need excellent verbal communication, being able to accurately explain movements, ensure timing, and support others on the warehouse floor. Team communication skills can be built from working within the warehouse environment and getting to know your colleagues.
Becoming a Reach Forklift Driver is a specialist role that requires specific licensing and training requirements to perform your role safely and to the highest standards. Whether you’re renewing your licence or getting it for the first time, staying updated with your certifications is a must for this role.
When it comes to driving a forklift, there are various certifications you can obtain through training. You will need different training for each forklift as being able to drive one doesn’t automatically qualify you to drive all forklifts. Check with your training providers and recruiters to ensure that you have the correct, in-date, certifications.
Some of the different forklift training vehicle courses include:
Training for your specific forklift is essential for the health and safety of the workplace. Training will include an understanding of the load capacity and stability of the vehicle, how to drive the vehicle, and more. This will ensure that you’re able to safely operate the machinery in a way that keeps you, the equipment, and your colleagues safe. Other safety training for the warehouse can also be important. There are various providers across the UK able to offer reach forklift safety training that is AITT approved.
Whether you start as a temporary or full-time Reach Forklift Driver, these positions can lead you to bigger responsibilities within the warehouse. This role, as a vital part of the warehouse infrastructure, can provide you the understanding of operations that you need to apply for and be successful in supervisory positions. By gaining a basic understanding of the day-to-day work, you’ll be in a better position to manage and work within supervisory roles, ensuring the safely, smooth running, and timekeeping of the warehouse.
A reach forklift is a specialised vehicle that requires specific training to operate. You’ll need to do a comprehensive reach forklift training program that shows you how to operate, manage, and safely work your machine. In the UK, there are various approved training companies:
The average salary for a Reach Forklift Driver is £26,000 a year or £13+ an hour. While this is a specialised role, some entry positions can start at £25,000 a year, with more specialised positions reaching £27,000 - £32,000 a year.
A reach forklift and a counterbalance forklift are two different vehicles that operate differently and require different training courses in order to operate safely and efficiently. A reach forklift is specifically designed to work within narrow aisles and reach greater heights than a counterbalance forklift.
Learn more about how to become a Counterbalance Forklift Driver.
