Rough Terrain Forklift Training
Class VII or rough terrain lift trucks are usually used in forestry and logging projects and are common on construction locations. They are the popular option for outdoor settings that rely on a machinery to run on uneven ground. The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that operators need to receive lecture or classroom style training along with supervised driving training. Periodic refresher training courses are taken by the operators in order to keep them in top form.
Classroom or Lecture Training
The first step is taking instruction in a lecture or classroom style. Training includes the essential information about the equipment that the driver will be working with. Specifics such as lifting capacities and how to refuel the lift truck are talked about. Safety tips are important to understand prior to operation. OSHA does not place a minimum time requirement on classroom training, although, they do state that both oral and written exams may be part of the training process.
Supervised Driving
Supervised driving is the next step in the rough terrain lift truck training, quite like when drivers learn to drive a passenger car. The driver must learn how to drive the specific type of rough terrain forklift that they would drive in the workplace. Also, they should practice operating this kind of forklift in an environment that closely replicates the situations in which they will be driving. Several of the other situations covered in training include handling pedestrians, nearby structures and vehicle traffic.
Certification
After a supervisor determines that a driver is capable of safely driving a rough terrain forklift, the supervisor can certify the operator for that workplace. The operator's certification is kept in the personnel file of the operator. If the training is to be taken in a 3rd party training facility, the trainer hands the driver the certification. Because work environments vary, the certifications are not transferable; thus, drivers should be re-certified again in the new environment. Typically, training passes faster after the operator has been certified the first time.
There are a few really important safety issues associated with driving a forklift. Operators need to stay alert and able to drive with the utmost care and attention. Practicing good habits could save lives at the end of the day. Also, much less damage to the goods, the work environment or the machinery itself occurs when drivers are working at the top of their game.