Crown Innovates With Double-deep Rack Safety Training

Crown Equipment’s driver training division has launched an innovative new course designed to reduce accidents associated with the use of double-deep and single deep racking systems. 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.

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 and more.

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,” Mr 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.”

Customised Solutions Regional Safety Manager – Northern Region, Chris Burke said the double-deep training course is a result of a broader push for increased safety within Toll.

“Each of our sites have unique risks. We’re working with Crown to focus on these risks in our training for both operators and team managers who provide instructions to our teams on a daily basis,” Mr Burke said.

“This will ensure we provide the best possible operator training for the safety of all our team members.”

Crown Commercial Training Manager Ben Flaiban said the double-deep training course has the potential to boost safety in warehouses across the country for a range of organisations, big or small.

“Double-deep racking is a major boon for warehousing because it allows increases in storage capacity of over 30 per cent,” Mr Flaiban said.

“However, reach truck operators need to possess the right skills to use it safely. Up until now there hasn’t been any formal training available for double-deep in Australia.

“Crown Commercial Training has addressed this gap and we are encouraging any organisation using double-deep racking to offer this training to its operators.”

Crown Equipment is a registered training organisation with locations all around Australia. It is also capable of travelling to organisations in Australia and abroad to deliver its new double-deep training.