According to the lift truck rules, an employer is not required to repeat previous training of a new operator. To be able to deal with specific workplace hazards and specific workplace machinery, training needs to be supplemented. For example, an operator doesn't need to be trained to be able to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace that has a ramp, it is essential that additional training needs to be offered.
Trainees are only allowed to use lift trucks under direct supervision of just people who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and evaluate the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees can 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 assessment within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be certified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification must contain the date of training, the name of the operator, and the name of the individual performing the training and assessment and lastly the evaluation date. Even if certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is necessary to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator shows some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. For example, refresher training would be triggered by certain occurrences like: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for instance, if an operator is deliberately disobeying workplace safety regulations, it could be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians so as to make certain that everybody stays safe.