Counterbalance Forklift Training Courses
Anyone who utilizes a counterbalanced forklift should receive training, based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Training includes a combination of classroom training and hands-on driver training. Refresher training is required occasionally to keep operator skills up to date. OSHA does not specify a required minimum time for either the hands-on or classroom training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its load with a counterbalance built into the truck. The blades move up and down parallel to the body of the truck. The blades do not pivot. Operators who utilize counterbalanced lift trucks must have training about the specific forklifts they will be utilizing and in the same workplace environment.
Classroom Training
The forklift driver would be taught the basics of the model of forklift they would be using in classroom training. They will learn info about the lift trucks particular things like load, height and weight capacity. The driver will be taught the basics of fueling or charging the forklift, which depends on whether the engine is battery-powered or gas-powered. Safety procedures regarding the specific lift truck, like for example how to safely walk around the forklift, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Driver training would be supervised to make certain that the driver will know how to correctly utilize the counterbalance lift truck. This practical training would happen in the same type of environment in which the operator would be working. The driver will train with the same sorts of nearby buildings and other structures on the same kind of terrain, as well as similar pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training
Though OSHA requires periodic refresher training for counterbalanced lift truck drivers, there are no specifications that determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. However, for regular drivers, refresher training courses has to incorporate classroom-style training.