Forklift Truck Training Course
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift to be given forklift driver certification. The training should be specific to the lift truck attachments and type that you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the environment in which you would be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Qualifications
Anyone utilizing a forklift must undergo training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for utilizing a lift truck include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical capacity to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a main concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the equipment or its additions. Pedestrians 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 accidents involving forklifts occur at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor very slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers should know potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification courses consist of a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the specific needs of the workplace. Training must be completed on the type of forklift and attachments which will be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
Each year approximately 100 individuals die in forklift mishaps. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each year. The majority of these accidents are preventable with proper operator training and attention to safety.