Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator according to forklift regulations. Training nonetheless needs to be supplemented so as to deal with certain workplace risks and particular workplace machinery. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to maneuver a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is essential that extra training should be offered.
Trainees can use a powered industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the experience, training and knowledge to train operators and assess their skill using the machine. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical evaluation within the workplace is also essential. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification has to include the operator name, the date of training, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and finally the date of evaluation. Though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is required. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. Like for example, refresher training will be triggered by some occurrences like: if there is a near miss or an accident, if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
When unsafe operation of a forklift is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it can be essential to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to make certain that everyone stays safe.