Counterbalance lift truck Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators using a counterbalanced forklift to have received lecture style or classroom training. They also require that a supervised driving course is finished along with periodic refresher training. There is no minimum time requirement for the classroom training or supervised driving. Additionally, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalanced lift truck's weight is utilized to balance its cargo utilizing its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but could be raised and lowered to secure and move cargo. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that people who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment that they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Classroom training or lecture style training offers information about the truck that the operator will be utilizing. This training covers aspects such as weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine in addition to any forklift specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The operator of a forklift would have to learn to operate the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in an environment that resembles the current environment which the driver works in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she would be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures close by, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby also. There is no specific minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.