Lift truck Truck Training
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift to be given forklift driver certification. The training should be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you would be utilizing on the job. Training should also reflect the environment in which you would be working. Forklift safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Before assuming any operator duties, all lift truck operators should undergo training and certification. Basic credentials for driving a lift truck include being at least eighteen years old and the physical ability to safely control and operate the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a top concern of any lift truck operator. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians should always have the right of way, and forklift operators should honk their horns when working at crosswalks or intersections or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Many mishaps involving lift trucks take place at loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor extremely slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and operators should know possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Lift truck certification programs consist of a combination of classroom instruction and practical training tailored to the specific requirements of the workplace. Training should be completed on the forklift type and attachments which 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 each year. Most of these accidents could be avoided with correct operator training and attention to safety.