Forklift Truck Training Program
To be given certification as a forklift driver, you have to undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training must be specific to the forklift attachments and type that you will be using on the job. Training should also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a main concern for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Anybody utilizing a lift truck should undergo training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for operating a forklift include being at least 18 years old and the physical capacity to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any forklift operator should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the equipment or its attachments. Pedestrians 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 accidents often take place on loading docks. These areas become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor really slippery. Wet floor conditions create a danger and drivers need to know potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification courses include a combination of classroom instruction and practical training tailored to the specific requirements of the workplace. Training should be completed on the type of forklift and attachments which will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is roughly 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. The majority of these accidents are preventable with attention to safety and correct operator training.