responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for forklift operators to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their responsibilities will comprise the lifting and moving of supplies and goods from one area to another. They must be trained to safely operate the forklift controls. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Drivers should pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift operators perform a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Lift truck operator training should include the proper performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken each year.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift operators perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a timely and safe way. This job also involves the organized stacking of materials so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a lift truck driver could include weighing the materials that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They must make certain that goods do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift operator must have excellent skills in attention and awareness to safety. Drivers must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to handle challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator should determine the safest route to take. An operator's training will include learning about the elements that can cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver has to be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are using. A lift truck operator needs to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to happen when a driver is tired.