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