What value can simulators add in crane, container management and forklift training?

The safety of operators, those working alongside them and the infrastructure around them is too important not to investigate better ways to deliver training. IVS Training’s simulations accurately replicate machine behaviour; helping accelerate learning, and deliver measurable productivity and safety gains.

So where exactly can simulators add significant value in crane, container management and forklift training?

1. Fail without Consequences
With the ability to replicate the worksite environment, equipment response, tasks, and weather conditions, our IVS Training 5-screen motion platform simulator allows trainees to become comfortable with equipment and hazards, and make mistakes virtually – without costly or dangerous consequences.

2. Prepare for Certification & Recertification
Engaging operators with real-world scenarios have shown to increase learning and retention over classroom instruction or printed materials alone, and this translates into higher certification exam success. Similarly, experienced operators benefit with respect to recertification, cross-training, upskilling, keeping current with best practices or eliminating habits formed between training events.

3. Track Training Progress
Instructors can track operator success throughout the process – from the beginning to the exam. Instructors can maintain one-on-one interaction, set scoring targets, and monitor progress.  Instructors can, in real-time, trigger unexpected events, night or day scenarios, precipitation and wind, and insert faults into exercises.

4. Anytime Equipment Access and Extend Your Fleet of Equipment
One of the ongoing challenges is whether to remove a piece of revenue-generating equipment from service for training. Simulations are available anytime, allowing you to train more people, on more machines, without sacrificing profitability or dealing with inclement weather.

5. For All Levels of Operator Experience
In some industries the fatal work injury rate increases with time on job. This could indicate that, as they settle in, workers become overly confident or complacent.  Simulator training is relevant to workers at all levels providing certification, and recertification, advanced continuing education to ensure safety does not become an afterthought.

6. Build Confidence
Cranes, container handlers and forklifts can be intimidating to the inexperienced. Simulators close the gap from the classroom to the field by providing a safe, controlled setting while closely replication worksite and equipment environments. Complete with all the pressure and distractions, sessions can be intense; however, simulators allow operators to make mistakes without costly or dangerous consequences.

7. Reduce Costs
Fuel consumption, maintenance, and repair cost of field training can be substantial. Simulators provide a cost-effective, measurable return on investment. By mirroring actual equipment controls, performance, and working conditions, simulators provide all the advantages of training on actual equipment without sacrificing profitability.

8. Reduce Accidents
Injury, investigations, equipment damage, worker absence and litigation all have significant social, financial, and personal impacts which can be mitigated to a significant extent by appropriate training.    

If you’d like to talk more about how simulator training might integrate with, and support your business, please contact me at gordon.findlay(at)ivs.co.nz.