Lift truck Truck Training
Operators need to undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck to receive forklift operator certification. The training should be specific to the lift truck attachments and type which you will be using on the job location. Training should also reflect the atmosphere in which you would be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Anybody operating a lift truck must undergo training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for operating a lift truck include an age minimum of eighteen years and the physical capacity to safely control and operate the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a top concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians near 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 near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Forklift accidents often occur on loading docks. These areas become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor extremely slippery. Wet floor conditions create a danger and operators should be aware of potential dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification programs for forklift drivers include both classroom instruction and practical training that can be tailored for the particular needs of each work setting. Training must be completed on the forklift type and attachments that will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Every year approximately 100 individuals die in forklift accidents. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported every year. Most of these accidents could be avoided with proper operator training and attention to safety.