Employers are not required to repeat previous training of a new operator according to lift truck rules. Training nevertheless has to be supplemented so as to deal with certain workplace risks and particular workplace equipment. Like for example, an operator doesn't need to be trained in order to steer a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be provided.
Trainees can utilize a motorized industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the skill, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their competence utilizing the machinery. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other workers or the trainee themselves.
It is necessary to make a practical assessment in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be certified. The certification needs to contain the operator name, the training date, and the name of the person performing the training and evaluation and lastly the evaluation date. Though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some type of deficiency in safe lift truck use. For instance, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. Like for instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules deliberately, it might be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to ensure everybody would be safe.