Forklift Truck Training
Operators must undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to receive forklift operator certification. The training course must be specific to the forklift attachments and type which you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the setting in which you would be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers should undergo training and certification. Basic qualifications for operating a lift truck include being at least 18 years old and the physical ability to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The top concern of any lift truck operator should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the lift truck are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians must always have the right of way, and lift truck operators should honk their horns when working at intersections or crosswalks or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Forklift accidents frequently happen on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a danger and operators have to be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck operators include both classroom instruction and practical training which can be tailored for the specific requirements of each work environment. Training must be completed on the forklift type and attachments that will be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is roughly 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while more than 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Nearly all of these accidents can be prevented with proper operator training and attention to safety.