Forklift Truck Training Course
Operators have to undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck to receive forklift driver certification. The training should be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you would be utilizing on the job location. Training should also reflect the setting in which you will be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Anybody using a lift truck must undergo training and certification prior to assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for utilizing a forklift include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical ability to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a main concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the equipment or its attachments. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck operators must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Numerous accidents involving lift trucks happen at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions can lead to a danger and drivers must know possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification programs for forklift operators include both classroom instruction and practical training that can be tailored for the specific requirements of each work setting. Training must be completed on the forklift type and attachments which would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while over 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. Most of these accidents can be prevented with attention to safety and correct operator training.