Lift truck Truck Training Course
In order to be given certification as a lift truck operator, you must undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training course must be specific to the forklift type and attachments that you would be utilizing on the job site. Training should also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all lift truck operators must undergo both certification and training. Basic credentials for operating a lift truck include being at least 18 years old and the physical capacity to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any lift truck driver must be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck operators should honk their horns when working at intersections or crosswalks or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Many mishaps involving lift trucks occur at loading docks. These places 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 possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification programs for lift truck operators include both classroom instruction and practical training that could be tailored for the specific needs of each work environment. Training must be undertaken on the forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
Every year approximately 100 individuals die in forklift mishaps. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported every year. Nearly all of these accidents are preventable with proper operator training and attention to safety.