Duties of a Forklift Operator
Lift truck drivers typically are employed in factories and warehouses. Their role is to transport materials and loads from one location to another. They need to be taught to safely use the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers perform a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Lift truck driver training should comprise the proper performance of safety inspections to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on an annual basis.
Loading and Unloading
Lift truck drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a timely and safe way. This job also involves the organized stacking of goods so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the materials which are to be moved can be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
The operator of the lift truck would be in charge of quality control. They need to make certain that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers must have good skills in both attention and awareness. Operators have to be very concerned with the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to deal with challenges, like for example navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The driver must determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training will include learning about the forces which might cause a forklift to tip over. The operator should be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit which they are using. A forklift driver should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Accidents connected to forklifts are more likely to occur when a driver is tired.