Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
The powered industrial truck or forklift is a heavy duty equipment found in practically every warehouse and factory. These reliable and tough equipment could lift and move heavy items that are not able to lift by hand. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to safely operate a forklift. Nearly all employers prefer a degree in high school. As the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it can be dangerous if not properly handled, hence, the skills of the operator are very necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift driver has to have good judgment so as to estimate how much a load weighs. They need to be able to judge the width and height of the load in order to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is very vital to have proper judgement to be able to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the machinery in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Operator skills which come in handy are quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. For instance, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the operator has to be able to quickly respond and try to fix the issue. To be able to avoid accidents, a high level of concentration is needed when utilizing and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Depending on the job, among the top skills of a forklift operator is to be able to adapt to their specific work surroundings. Depending on every task, this may change on a continuous basis. Some forklift tasks require operators to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous equipment, fumes, odors or loud noises. Work atmospheres and warehouses can be busy places. The driver of the forklift must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety in general. Additionally, numerous forklift jobs require being outdoors to move items or unload merchandise; hence, the driver has to be prepared at the possibility of working in bad weather conditions.
Machine Maintenance
Operators should be able to follow directions and understand how heavy equipment works. Operators need to learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could ensure that the horn, the lights, the steering, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
The operator of the lift truck must also be able to properly maintain the lift truck and need to know when something is not working correctly. An important part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain equipment problems to mechanics.