According to the lift truck regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. To be able to address specific workplace hazards and particular workplace equipment, training has to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to navigate a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is necessary that extra training should be provided.
Trainees could use a powered industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of individuals who have the experience, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their competence using the machine. The trainees can only learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical evaluation within the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be certified. The certification should contain the name of the operator, the training date, and the name of the individual performing the evaluation and training and lastly the date of evaluation. Even though certain state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Refresher training is required to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator demonstrates some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck use. For instance, refresher training would be triggered by certain occurrences like for instance: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
When unsafe use of a lift truck is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it can be essential to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts in order to make certain that everybody stays safe.