responsibilities of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their tasks will consist of the lifting and transporting of supplies and goods from one place to another. They should be trained to safely utilized the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
HRSDC and OSHA both require forklift operators to perform daily and pre-shift checks. Lift truck driver training should include the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on an annual basis.
Loading and Unloading
Forklift operators perform tasks related to loading and unloading supplies in a timely and safe method. This responsibility also involves the stacking of supplies in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a forklift operator can include weighing the supplies which are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
The operator of the lift truck will be in charge of quality control. They have to make sure orders are accurate and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck operator must have exceptional skills in awareness and attention to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver will need to determine the route which is the safest. A driver's training would include learning about the forces which can cause a forklift to tip over. The operator needs to be really familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are using. A forklift operator must be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent exhaustion. Forklift accidents are more likely to occur when an operator is exhausted.