The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) is expanding its training offering with the launch of a new course aimed at promoting the safe use of lifting accessories – part of its ongoing commitment to raising safety standards across the material handling industry.
Taking place on Wednesday 2 July at SMB College’s Stephenson Campus in Coalville, Leicestershire, the one-day course will be delivered in person by experienced instructors and focuses heavily on the practical application of safe lifting practices using chains, slings and other lifting accessories.
The training includes detailed instruction on pre-use inspections, Safe Working Load (SWL) calculations, slinging angles, load estimation, and centre of gravity assessment.
It will also cover the legal framework surrounding lifting operations, including LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998), and highlight the importance of robust lifting plans.
Aimed primarily at forklift technicians and personnel involved in lifting tasks, the course is also recommended for supervisors and managers who plan or oversee such operations.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
• Verify the condition and suitability of lifting accessories
• Select the correct equipment for specific lifting tasks
• Understand how to calculate capacity adjustments based on lifting configurations
• Recognise associated health and safety risks
• Demonstrate awareness of key legislation
• Apply best practices for safe slinging and lifting
David Goss, UKMHA Technical Director, said: “The importance of safe lifting procedures cannot be overstated.
"Lifting with chains and slings is fundamentally different from handling unit loads on forks, and it is critically important that personnel carrying out such operations fully understand what they are doing and what the implications are should anything go wrong.
"This course is being delivered by qualified instructors experienced in apprentice training for material handling equipment (MHE) and has been designed to improve safety in the workplace, a fundamental goal of the UKMHA.”
The course consists of four 90-minute sessions, with assessment through written and practical evaluation.
Places are limited to 10 participants, and early booking is strongly recommended following high demand for UKMHA’s recent Lithium-ion Batteries course.
Successful attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance.