Working in retail can often feel like an endless cycle of routine tasks, a daily grind that doesn’t always showcase the excitement we hope for in a job.
This feeling is something that Lowe’s employee and sensation, Chris, recently captured in a video that has taken the internet by storm, garnering a lot of views.
In this viral clip, Chris demonstrates his dedication by manually stacking 170 bricks, one by one, onto a flatbed cart, revealing a unique perspective on the challenges of working in a retail environment.
Let’s look into this matter.
The Everyday Struggles of Retail
“Just another day in the workforce,” Chris captions his viral video, which showcases a time-lapse of him meticulously placing bricks onto the cart, brick by brick, by hand.
But why is he performing this task in such an unconventional manner? The video provides an answer:
“When someone orders 170 bricks and you’re not forklift certified.”
A Brief Interruption
Amid his labor, Chris briefly steps away from the bricks to assist a customer who needed mulch. During this “mulch break,” a customer mistakenly believes that Chris has finished loading the bricks and attempts to push the cart away.
However, upon his return, Chris clarifies that there are more bricks to be moved and, with the help of the customer, resumes stacking them onto the cart until the task is finally completed.
The Employee’s Post Sparks Reactions
Chris’s video struck a chord with many viewers, particularly those who have worked at Lowe’s or in similar retail positions. Commenters shared their own experiences and empathized with the challenges of such work.
One commenter remarked, “A true Lowe’s struggle.” At the same time, another shared memories of their parents working at Lowe’s, saying, “As the child of one former and one current Lowe’s employee, this is all I remember from walking around outside and garden.”
However, some viewers had different experiences. One person mentioned that they were not officially forklift certified but were allowed to use the vehicle after simply riding it around the parking lot for an hour to gain familiarity with it.
Another commenter proudly announced their recent forklift certification, stating,
“Couldn’t be me (I literally just passed my forklift certification test an hour ago).”
Exploring Possible Solutions
Some viewers questioned why Chris’s management didn’t provide him with a pallet jack, a seemingly practical solution. However, the weight and height of the bricks could have presented challenges. A single brick typically weighs between 4.3 and 4.5 pounds, resulting in a total payload of approximately 765 pounds for 170 bricks.
The manual pallet jacks available couldn’t reach the shelf’s height, or the weight at that height might have made the jack unstable. Consequently, manually placing the bricks on the flatbed cart by hand may have been the safer option.
This assumption aligns with a comment from a user who believed that there were too many bricks in the customer’s request to be moved by forklift. “Doesn’t even matter there were still too many on the pallet to use a forklift; you would’ve just had to do it by hand,” they wrote.
Reasons Why Forklift Training For Employees Is Important
Here’s a concise summary of the information from the provided sources:
Mandatory License Requirement
Operating a forklift in the workplace requires a High-Risk Work License issued by WorkSafe WA.
Safety Priority
Operating a forklift without a license endangers the operator and others. Prioritizing workplace safety can prevent accidents, compliance issues, and fines.
Improved Efficiency
Forklift training enhances operator efficiency, increasing productivity and time savings for the business.
Machine Protection
Enrolling workers in forklift training reduces the risk of machine damage, safeguarding the business’s equipment investments.
Safe Working Environment
Forklift operator training contributes to a safe workplace by teaching operators to follow safety measures, such as wearing seat belts, obeying speed limits, and using signals.
Accident Prevention:
Image Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.Proper forklift training reduces the likelihood of accidents and injuries by teaching hazard identification, load management, and stability maintenance.
Efficient Workforce
Well-trained forklift operators are confident and efficient, increasing workplace productivity.
Lower Turnover
Adequately trained operators tend to stay in their jobs longer, reducing turnover and ensuring a consistent workforce.
Cost Reduction
Forklift incidents can be expensive, involving workers’ compensation, medical expenses, legal fees, equipment repairs, and OSHA fines. Training helps lower these costs.
Business Reputation
Maintaining a strong safety record through OSHA certification builds trust and a positive reputation for the business, showcasing reliability and dedication to safety.
More from Viral Chatter
The workplace can sometimes feel like a prison in today’s fast-paced world.
This sentiment was recently echoed by a Burger King employee who took to social media to share her experiences and feelings about her job.
Offering a raw, unfiltered look into the daily grind of fast-food work, her videos have become a rallying cry for those feeling trapped in thankless jobs.
Woman Questions Chip Bag: Real Weight 7 oz. < The Bag 11 oz.
In a snack-loving world, a claim about a weight discrepancy in a chip bag has stirred debate and skepticism.
This revelation prompts questions about the science and ethics of snack packaging.
Let’s crunch the numbers and explore the mystery behind the ‘air’ in chip bags and the real weight of your favorite snack.
Sources
- naratraining.com.au/blog/6-reasons-why-your-employees-need-forklift-training/
- yitaltg.com/blog/the-importance-of-forklift-operator-training/
- lillyforklifts.com/blog/6-reasons-companies-need-osha-forklift-certification
This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter. It was inspired by this video:
@ludichrispeed just another day in the workforce #work #forklift #timelapse #viral #thecranberries ♬ Sunday – The Cranberries
Read Next:
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
