Lift truck Truck Training
Operators must undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck in order to receive forklift operator certification. The training should be specific to the forklift attachments and type that you would be utilizing on the job location. Training must also reflect the atmosphere in which you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a main concern for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Qualifications
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all forklift operators must undergo both training and certification. Basic credentials for utilizing a forklift include an age of at least 18 years and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The top concern of any forklift driver should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck drivers 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 places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors resulting in a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers have to know potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift drivers consist of both practical training and classroom instruction which can be tailored for the particular requirements of each work environment. Training should be completed on the forklift type and attachments which will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
On average, there is about 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while more than 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. The majority of these accidents are preventable with attention to safety and correct operator training.