Forklift/reachtruck Operator

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Report at least one near miss every month in accordance with the company's safety reporting requirements.
• Use the Stop Card or designated safety intervention procedure to identify, challenge, and report unsafe acts and conditions.
• Conduct or participate in the required risk assessment before commencing any task and ensure that all identified hazards and control measures are addressed.
• Comply with all company policies, safety rules, standard operating procedures, work instructions, and directives issued by management.
• Operate forklifts and reach trucks in accordance with approved operating procedures and established safety standards.
• Exercise heightened caution when operating reach trucks at elevated heights, particularly when stacking and unstacking products in warehouse racking systems.
• Participate in monthly fire drills and other designated emergency preparedness activities.
• Promptly report accidents, near misses, equipment defects, unsafe conditions, and other incidents to the relevant supervisor.

Forklift and Reach Truck Operations

• Safely operate forklifts and reach trucks in busy warehouse and loading areas to facilitate the loading, offloading, movement, and storage of goods.
• Stack and unstack palletized lubricants safely and efficiently, ensuring product stability and preventing damage to goods, pallets, racking, and equipment.
• Transfer goods from designated storage areas to the loading bay to support sales dispatch and order fulfilment activities.
• Ensure that materials are handled in accordance with approved load limits, stacking procedures, and warehouse traffic management requirements.
• Position, retrieve, and transport goods accurately to designated storage locations while maintaining safe operating speeds and clear visibility.
• Ensure that loads are properly secured and balanced before moving and that pedestrian and vehicle safety is maintained at all times.
• Immediately report damaged pallets, unstable loads, product damage, or unsafe storage conditions

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

• Conduct daily pre-use inspections of forklifts and reach trucks using the designated inspection checklists before operating the equipment.
• Identify, document, and report any mechanical faults, defects, damage, or abnormalities detected during pre-use checks or operations.
• Ensure that defective or unsafe equipment is not operated and promptly notify the supervisor or maintenance team for corrective action.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date forklift and reach truck inspection and maintenance records, as assigned.
• Monitor equipment servicing schedules and coordinate with the relevant supervisor or maintenance team to ensure timely servicing and preventive maintenance.
• Regularly inspect forklifts and reach trucks for signs of wear, damage, leaks, or other operational concerns and report any irregularities.
• Clean forklifts and reach trucks daily to maintain equipment cleanliness, functionality, and safe operating conditions.
• Clean reach trucks strictly in accordance with manufacturer and company requirements. Water must not be used; only approved dry cleaning methods, including a dry cloth, blower, and vacuum cleaner, shall be used

Warehouse Housekeeping and Product Care

• Maintain high standards of housekeeping in warehouse storage areas, loading bays, and equipment parking locations.
• Ensure that aisles, emergency exits, fire equipment, walkways, and access routes remain clear of obstructions.
• Park forklifts and reach trucks in designated areas after use, following the applicable shutdown and parking procedures.
• Handle lubricants and other warehouse materials carefully to prevent spills, leakage, contamination, and product damage.
• Promptly report and assist in addressing spills, damaged packaging, and other housekeeping or storage concerns in accordance with company procedures

Requirements

• A minimum of a KCSE certificate or equivalent secondary school qualification is preferred.
• A valid forklift operator licence, certificate, or recognised competency qualification, as required by applicable Kenyan regulations.
• Documented training and demonstrated competence in reach truck operation.
• Basic training in occupational health and safety, warehouse safety, and material handling is an added advantage.
• Basic knowledge of equipment inspection, preventive maintenance, and workplace hazard identification is desirable.
• Previous experience operating forklifts and reach trucks in a warehouse, distribution centre, manufacturing facility, or similar industrial environment is preferred.
• Experience handling palletized products, particularly lubricants or other packaged industrial products, is an added advantage.
• Experience working in busy warehouse environments involving loading, offloading, stacking, and order dispatch is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to operate forklifts and reach trucks safely and efficiently.