Lift truck Truck Training Program
Operators must undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck to be given forklift operator certification. The training course should be specific to the forklift attachments and type which you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the atmosphere wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all forklift drivers must undergo both certification and training. Basic qualifications for using a lift truck include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a main concern of any forklift driver. Pedestrians near the lift truck are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the equipment or its attachments. Pedestrians should always have the right of way, and forklift operators must honk their horns when working at intersections or crosswalks or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps frequently happen on loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor very slippery. Wet floor conditions create a danger and drivers must be aware of potential dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Lift truck certification courses include a combination of classroom instruction and practical training tailored to the specific requirements of the workplace. Training must be completed on the kind of forklift and attachments which will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Every year roughly 100 individuals die in forklift mishaps. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported every year. Nearly all of these accidents could be prevented with attention to safety and correct operator training.