Forklift Truck Training Course
To be given certification as a lift truck driver, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training must be specific to the lift truck attachments and type that you will be utilizing on the job site. Training must also reflect the environment in which you would be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Anyone using a forklift must undergo training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for utilizing a forklift include being at least eighteen years old and the physical capacity to safely control and operate the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a main concern of any lift truck operator. Pedestrians near 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 lift truck operators must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at intersections or crosswalks.
Weather Conditions
Many mishaps involving lift trucks happen at loading docks. These areas become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors causing an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers should be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift drivers include both practical training and classroom instruction that can be tailored for the particular needs of each work environment. Training must be completed on the type of forklift and attachments that will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is around 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while more than 100,000 are injured by forklifts. The majority of these accidents could be prevented with attention to safety and correct operator training.