Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty equipment found in almost every warehouse and factory. These tough and reliable machines can lift and move heavy things which are not able to raise manually. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to utilize a forklift safely. Most employers prefer a degree in high school. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it can be dangerous if not properly handled, hence, the operator's skills are very necessary.
Good Judgment
To be able to estimate how much a load weighs, the forklift operator needs to have good judgement, able to judge both the height and weight of the load. Knowing the particulars will help to guarantee that the load and forklift would fit it designed area. It is very vital to have proper judgement in order to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to competently drive the equipment in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Required forklift skills skills include excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for instance, if a stack of things in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the operator has to be able to quickly respond and try to fix the issue. To be able to avoid mishaps, a high level of concentration is required when utilizing and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Amongst the top skills of a lift truck operator is that they have to be adaptable to the work environment. This can be continually changing depending on the task. Some forklift tasks require drivers to be exposed to dangerous equipment, damaging materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Work atmospheres and warehouses can be busy places. The operator of the forklift should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. Additionally, numerous forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload supplies or transport items; therefore, the driver has to be ready at the likelihood of working in poor weather conditions.
Machine Maintenance
Forklift operators need to understand how heavy mobile equipment works and have to be able and willing to follow instructions. Operators need to learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could guarantee that the horn, the lights, the steering, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
Forklift truck operators have to also understand how to properly maintain the vehicles and have to know when something is not functioning properly. An important part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about equipment problems.