Many industries take advantage of the power and maneuverability of forklifts. They cannot, however, allow just anyone to operate them. The consequences of having an untrained operator using a forklift is potentially very dangerous.
Anyone who is going to operate a forklift must go through forklift training. Most training classes will be divided into 3 separate elements:
(1). General Classroom
(2). Practical & Site-Specific (a hands-on experience)
(3). Visual Observation and Evaluation from a Qualified Professional
Employer Developed Training
Employers may develop forklift training programs of their own. They would use a Forklift Safety Guide, Videos, and WISHA codes to create their training program.
All trainees would need to be evaluated once the training is over. They must demonstrate their abilities and skills to a trained and qualified person (designated by the employer). Even after passing the training employees still have to be evaluated every 3 years to make sure they’re still operating their forklifts safely.
Employers must maintain a record of the training and evaluation. The record will show the date of training, operator’s name, date of evaluation, and name of whoever gives the training and evaluation.
Former Training
When a trained forklift operator changes employers, the previous training may or may not be sufficient for their new assignment. It depends on the new employer’s requirements, the truck they will drive, and if the working conditions were about the same of something different altogether. They would also need to have been evaluated within the last 3 years.
All current employers are responsible to any site-specific training that is necessary to new employees. This means ‘hands-on’ training while the operator displays his/her skills on the specific forklift they will be using. Any new training or evaluation must be documented.
Licensing
There is no requirement for forklift operators to have a license. They must, however, have undergone forklift training from their current employer that includes the following –
(a). General Forklift Operation & Safety Information
(b). Site-Specific Training that Includes Practice on the Specific Forklift They Will be Operating.
(c). A Thorough Evaluation of Their Skills & Abilities for Operating a Forklift Safely.
Again, this must all be documented by their current employer.
OSHA
OSHA specifically states that drivers DO NOT need to take refresher training annually. This is only necessary if they are found operating their forklift unsafely, or have been involved in an accident or close call.
They do require operators to train on each ‘type’ of forklift. When they talk about ‘type’ they are referring to the basic differences in pallet jacks vs. order-pickers, sit-down lift vs. stand-up lifts, etc. A difference in the manufacturer of the forklift does not warrant any refresher training, only the difference in ‘types’.
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