Training comes alive
doors in March, will use 3D immersive training, taking people through all the potential causes and consequences of an accident.
Martin Kendall, managing director of Vantec Europe, said: “Our accident rates are very low, but our aim is zero.
“There are 600 Vantec forklift truck drivers in Sunderland and another 100 in our other UK bases. Our challenge is to make forklift driving as safe as practically possible.
“The innovation centre is an effective method of keeping safety to the front of the mind long-term. Bringing down accident rates through better awareness will also support increased productivity and staff motivation at Vantec.”
A realistic film will cover every aspect of a potential accident at Vantec, from the initial event to the arrival of the ambulance, the stay in hospital, effects on family, colleagues and employer, and will even include mock law courts, with student lawyers enacting the trial with a jury.
Actors, university students and lecturers will act out parts of the programme to bring it vividly to life for participants.
The film will be shown on a three-wall projection, and aspects of it will be used to create in-depth segments to improve understanding about accident prevention, and boost leadership, communication, and worker involvement across the entire Vantec workforce.
Professor Tony Alabaster, head of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Well-being, and programme leader Dr Sarah Pickup, worked with Martin and his team to create a bespoke programme to suit the logistics industry.
“This collaboration is very exciting” said Dr Pickup.
“It allows us as academics to work closely with a global business situated on our doorstep and through internal cross-collaboration, apply a wealth of knowledge and skills to a very real-world challenge,
“For Vantec to engage in such a collaboration is a strong statement that signals their motivation to enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees in new and innovative ways and we are excited to be involved with this,” she added.