Duties of a Forklift Driver
Lift truck drivers usually are employed in factories and warehouses. Their role is to transport materials and goods from one place to another. They have to be trained to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift operators carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck inspection. Forklift operator training must include the proper performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on an annual basis.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift operators perform tasks related to unloading and loading supplies in a timely and safe manner. This job also includes the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
The duties of a forklift operator can include weighing the materials that are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They must make sure orders are correct and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck operator should have exceptional skills in attention and awareness to safety. Operators should exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The driver will have to find the safest way to deal with challenges, like for instance navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator must determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training will include learning about the forces that can cause a forklift to tip over. The operator should be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit that they are operating. A lift truck driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to occur when a driver is tired.