According to the lift truck regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. In order to deal with particular workplace hazards and specific workplace equipment, training needs to be supplemented. Like for example, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; then again, if the operator is really assigned to work someplace that has a ramp, it is essential that additional training has to be provided.
Trainees could utilize a powered industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of individuals who have the experience, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their competence operating the machine. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical evaluation within the workplace is also essential. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be certified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification needs to contain the name of the operator, the training date, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and lastly the date of assessment. Even if certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is required. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. For instance, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is a near miss or an accident, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
When unsafe operation of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it might be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to ensure everyone stays safe.