Lift truck Truck Training
Operators need to undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to be given forklift operator certification. The training program must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments which you would be using on the job. Training should also reflect the setting wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a main concern for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers should undergo training and certification. Basic qualifications for using a lift truck include an age of at least eighteen years and the physical capacity to operate and control the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any lift truck driver must be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and forklift operators must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck accidents often take place on loading docks. These areas become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions could result in a hazard and drivers should be aware of potential dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification courses consist of a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the particular needs of the workplace. Training must be completed on the forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
On average, there is around 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while more than 100,000 are injured by forklifts. The majority of these accidents can be avoided with correct operator training and attention to safety.