responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
Forklift operators normally are employed in factories and warehouses. Their responsibility is to move materials and loads from one location to another. They must be trained to safely use the forklift controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
HRSDC and OSHA both require lift truck operators to perform daily and pre-shift checks. Forklift driver training should comprise the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Loading and Unloading
Forklift operators perform tasks related to loading and unloading supplies in a safe and timely method. This job also involves the stacking of supplies in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the supplies which are to be transported could be part of the lift truck driver's responsibilities.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They must make certain orders are accurate and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Forklift drivers should have great skills in both attention and awareness. Operators have to be very concerned with the safety of employees and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to deal with challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator should determine the safest route to take. An operator's training will include learning about the elements which may cause a forklift to tip over. The operator needs to be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit which they are operating. A lift truck operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid fatigue. Mishaps associated to forklifts are more likely to take place when an operator is exhausted.