Forklift Truck Training Course
Operators must undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to be given forklift operator certification. The training must be specific to the forklift type and attachments which you will be using on the job location. Training must also reflect the environment wherein you would be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers should undergo both training and certification. Basic qualifications for operating a forklift include being at least 18 years old and the physical ability to safely control and operate the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The top concern of any forklift driver must be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians must always have the right of way, and lift truck operators must honk their horns when working at crosswalks or intersections or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Numerous mishaps involving lift trucks occur at loading docks. These places become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor really slippery. Wet floor conditions can lead to a danger and operators should be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift operators consist of both practical training and classroom instruction which can be tailored for the specific requirements of each work setting. Training should be completed on the type of forklift and attachments which will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Each year roughly 100 individuals die in forklift accidents. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each and every year. The majority of these accidents could be avoided with attention to safety and proper operator training.