Lift truck Truck Training
Operators need to undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck in order to be given forklift operator certification. The training should be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you would be using on the job. Training should also reflect the setting wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers should undergo training and certification. Basic qualifications for using a lift truck include an age of at least eighteen years and the physical capacity to operate and control the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a top concern of any lift truck operator. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its attachments. Pedestrians should always have the right of way, and forklift operators must honk their horns when working at intersections or crosswalks or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps often occur on loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions can lead to a hazard and drivers should be aware of potential dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck drivers include both practical training and classroom instruction that can be tailored for the particular requirements of each work setting. Training should be completed on the forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while more than 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. The majority of these accidents are avoidable with correct operator training and attention to safety.