Forklift Truck Training
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to be given forklift operator certification. The training program should be specific to the lift truck type and attachments which you will be utilizing on the job site. Training should also reflect the setting in which you would be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all forklift operators must undergo certification and training. Basic credentials for using a forklift include an age minimum of eighteen years and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a main concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians near the lift truck are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck drivers should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at intersections or crosswalks.
Weather Conditions
Forklift accidents usually occur on loading docks. These places become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor very slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers should be aware of possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck operators consist of both classroom instruction and practical training that can be tailored for the specific needs of each work setting. Training must be undertaken on the forklift type and attachments that will be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is about 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while more than 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. Nearly all of these accidents are avoidable with correct operator training and attention to safety.