Forklift Truck Training
In order to be given certification as a lift truck operator, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training course should be specific to the forklift type and attachments that you would be using on the job. Training must also reflect the setting in which you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a main concern for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Qualifications
Anyone operating a forklift should undergo both training and certification prior to assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for driving a forklift include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a top concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machinery or its attachments. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck drivers must honk their horns when working at crosswalks or intersections or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps often occur on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers must be aware of potential dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification courses consist of a combination of classroom instruction and practical training tailored to the specific needs of the workplace. Training must be undertaken on the forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while more than 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. Nearly all of these accidents can be prevented with attention to safety and proper operator training.