Lift truck Truck Training
To receive certification as a lift truck operator, you must undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training must be specific to the lift truck attachments and type which you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the setting in which you would be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Before assuming any operator duties, all forklift drivers should undergo training and certification. Basic credentials for operating a forklift include an age of at least eighteen years and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The main 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 equipment or its attachments. Pedestrians must always have the right of way, and forklift operators must honk their horns when working at crosswalks or intersections or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
A lot of mishaps involving forklifts happen at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors causing a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions can lead to a hazard and drivers need to be aware of possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Lift truck certification programs include a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the particular needs of the workplace. Training should be completed on the kind of forklift and attachments that will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is around 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. The majority of these accidents are preventable with attention to safety and correct operator training.