Warehouse jobs Mechanical Handling Equipment scaring me

DanS1

Just started a new warehouse job at Tesco (through an agency) four days ago and absolutely horrific! There's 4 of us being trained and whilst there getting through it ok, I feel shaken and like a rabbit in the headlights. To be fair I am new to it all but feel a bit stupid not even being able to move a pallet jack about less than a meter across the floor. Just wondering if all warehouses use MHE like pallet jacks. Need a job as my tenancy is up in a few months and need to provide wage slips, but need to feel comfortable.

Alanp

Can you not explain to the person training you your fears and ask for a bit more time to get to grips with it?

oh_really

Read through post history.

Bradden

To answer your question... in all likelyhood most warehouse jobs will involve mechanical handling equipment. Did you tell your new employer about your concerns before you accpeted the posiiton? 

cattom

I'm over 60 and when I was made redundant a few yrs ago, I took a temporary job in a warehouser,  storage and distribution of white goods. that was using mhe. and I done it no trouble. 

DanS1

Bradden said:

To answer your question... in all likelyhood most warehouse jobs will involve mechanical handling equipment. Did you tell your new employer about your concerns before you accpeted the posiiton? 

No, as I thought order picking was where you get given a sheet with a list of orders and you have to go round the warehouse, pick them,tick them off on the sheet, and put the items on to the trolley. I did see the MHE when I had a site tour but thought that was for the people who loaded the lorries. I didn't know I'd have to use them for order picking.

Bradden

It's  a shame you didn't mention it but too late now. You might have avoided being put in this situation if they were aware of your concerns from the start. I'd suggest speaking to a trainer and explaining your concerrns. They have a obligation to only pass someone once they are confident you can operate equipment safely - if they know you're concerned it is their job to support you and help you pass.

theoretica

What helped me get used to using one was getting a time to experiment when I didn't feel I was holding anyone else up and could go as slowly as I wanted. 

eamon

There are manual, motorised & stand/sit on motorised pallet trucks. Motorised can be trickey to get used to. However if you struggle in spatial awareness then a lot of MHE equipment will be difficult, manual or motorised matters not. As others have said ask your trainer for more help and hopefully that will give you the required confidence. Remember its easier to pull rather than push.