Mentor Training, the UK’s leading provider of material handling equipment training, has launched a series of forklift hazard perception videos in time for this year’s National Forklift Safety Day.

Developed for Counterbalance, Reach and PPT operators, the video-based challenges are designed to help improve hazard awareness and reinforce safe working practices in warehouse environments.

National Forklift Safety Day, organised annually by the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), is one of the material handling industry’s leading safety initiatives. The campaign aims to promote safer workplaces and raise awareness of the importance of effective training and risk management across the sector.

This year’s theme, Technician Safety, highlights the importance of protecting not only operators, but everyone working around material handling equipment. UKMHA’s dedicated website features guidance and a range of safety resources available, including a Safe Working Area Charter, Site Induction Check Sheet, and an animation explaining the procedures that should be followed when a technician arrives on site.

In support of National Forklift Safety Day, Mentor Training has released a Forklift Hazard Perception Challenge featuring realistic warehouse scenarios filmed in a large-scale distribution setting, from an operator’s perspective. The videos encourage viewers to identify potential hazards while navigating a warehouse environment, both on foot and from the driver’s position on the truck.

Adam Smith, Commercial Director at Mentor Training, said, “National Forklift Safety Day is an important opportunity to reinforce safe working practices across the industry. Our Hazard Perception Challenge has been designed to help people identify common workplace risks and improve their awareness to enhance safety within their own operations.”

He added, “The videos work similarly to the hazard perception element of a driving theory test. Viewers watch from the operator’s point of view and are challenged to spot hazards as they appear on-screen. I’m very impressed with how effective these videos are and am excited for others to give them a try – people may find it surprising just how little forklift operators can see from their seat!”

The Forklift Hazard Perception Challenge is available now and is designed to support anyone operating or working alongside forklift trucks.

For more information about the annual campaign and access to the resources, visit the dedicated National Forklift Safety Day website. To try Mentor’s Forklift Hazard Perception Challenge, click here.