Lift truck Truck Training Program
Operators have to undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck to receive forklift operator certification. The training course should be specific to the forklift attachments and type which you will be using on the job location. Training should also reflect the setting in which you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers must undergo both training and certification. Basic qualifications for using a forklift include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical ability to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any forklift operator should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its attachments. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck operators should honk their horns when working at crosswalks or intersections or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Forklift mishaps often happen on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions could result in a hazard and operators should be aware of possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification courses consist of a combination of classroom instruction and practical training tailored to the specific needs of the workplace. Training should be completed on the forklift type and attachments which would be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Most of these accidents are avoidable with attention to safety and correct operator training.