Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators using a counterbalanced lift truck to have received lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving program is completed. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. In addition, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its cargo with the truck's weight. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go down and up and do not turn. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that individuals who will be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom would provide forklift and driver information for the truck you will be utilizing. Most training would include several aspects like the load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the lift truck. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine along with any forklift specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The lift truck operator needs to learn how to use the counterbalanced forklift while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in a place which reflects the environment the operator would be driving in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she would be traveling on, have the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby, and the same surrounding structures nearby too. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator needs to drive while being supervised.