Forklift Truck Training
In order to be given certification as a forklift driver, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the atmosphere in which you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Anybody operating a lift truck must undergo both training and certification prior to assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for utilizing a lift truck include being at least eighteen years old and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a top concern of any forklift operator. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machine or its attachments. Pedestrians should always have the right of way, and lift truck operators should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps frequently take place on loading docks. These places become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors resulting in a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions could result in a danger and operators have to be aware of possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification programs include a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the particular requirements of the workplace. Training should be undertaken on the type of forklift and attachments which will be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Every year around 100 individuals die in forklift mishaps. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each and every year. The majority of these accidents could be prevented with attention to safety and correct operator training.