Forklift Truck Training
To receive certification as a forklift driver, you must undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training program should be specific to the forklift attachments and type which you would be using on the job. Training must also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Anyone utilizing a forklift should undergo training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for operating a forklift include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a top concern of any forklift operator. Pedestrians near the lift truck are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the equipment or its attachments. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck operators should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Many mishaps involving forklifts occur at loading docks. These places become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor really slippery. Wet floor conditions can lead to a danger and drivers should know possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification programs include a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the specific requirements of the workplace. Training should be undertaken on the type of forklift and attachments that will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
Every year roughly 100 individuals die in forklift accidents. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each year. Nearly all of these accidents are avoidable with correct operator training and attention to safety.