Forklift Truck Training
In order to receive certification as a forklift operator, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the atmosphere wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all forklift drivers should undergo certification and training. Basic qualifications for driving a lift truck include being at least 18 years old and the physical ability to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any forklift operator must be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the lift truck are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck operators must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps usually take place on loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor extremely slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers need to know potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification programs consist of a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the particular needs of the workplace. Training must be completed on the forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is roughly 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Nearly all of these accidents could be avoided with correct operator training and attention to safety.