Counterbalance lift truck Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody using a counterbalanced lift truck be given lecture style or classroom training. They also require that a supervised driving course is completed in addition to periodic refresher training. There is no minimum time requirement for the classroom training or supervised driving. In addition, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is utilized to balance its load utilizing its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but can be raised and lowered to secure and transport loads. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. OSHA require that people who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment that they will be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style will provide forklift and operator information for the truck you would be operating. Most training will cover certain aspects such as the load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information like for instance where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The forklift driver has to learn how to operate the counterbalanced forklift while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in a place that reflects the environment the driver will be driving in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she would be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures close by, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by as well. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.