Lift truck Truck Training Program
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to receive forklift driver certification. The training must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you would be using on the job. Training must also reflect the environment wherein you will be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all forklift drivers must undergo training and certification. Basic qualifications for utilizing a forklift include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical capacity to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any lift truck operator should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and forklift operators should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps often take place on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers have to know possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift 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 forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Most of these accidents can be prevented with attention to safety and correct operator training.