Forklift Truck Training
To receive certification as a forklift driver, you need to undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training program must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments which you would be utilizing on the job. Training should also reflect the environment wherein you would be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all forklift operators must undergo training and certification. Basic credentials for operating a forklift include an age of at least 18 years and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a top concern of any forklift operator. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machine or its attachments. Pedestrians must always have the right of way, and forklift drivers must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at intersections or crosswalks.
Weather Conditions
A lot of accidents involving forklifts occur at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor extremely slippery. Wet floor conditions could result in a hazard and drivers have to be aware of possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Lift truck certification courses include a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the specific requirements of the workplace. Training should be completed on the forklift type and attachments which would be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is around 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while more than 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Nearly all of these accidents are preventable with correct operator training and attention to safety.