Employers are not required to replicate past training of a new operator based on forklift regulations. Training nevertheless has to be supplemented in order to deal with certain workplace risks and particular workplace machinery. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to steer a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is essential that extra training has to be offered.
Trainees could use a motorized industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of individuals who have the experience, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their competence operating the equipment. The trainees could only learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other employees.
It is vital to make a practical evaluation in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be certified. The certification needs to include the operator name, the date of training, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and finally the date of evaluation. Even if certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is required. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. For example, refresher training will be triggered by certain occurrences like: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. Like for instance, if an operator is deliberately disobeying workplace safety rules, it may be essential to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice lift truck awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians so as to ensure everyone would be safe.