Lift truck Truck Training Course
To receive certification as a forklift driver, you must undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training must be specific to the forklift attachments and type that you would be using on the job. Training should also reflect the atmosphere wherein you will be working. Forklift safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Before assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers must undergo both certification and training. Basic credentials for operating a forklift include being at least eighteen years old and the physical capacity to safely control and operate the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The top concern of any forklift driver must be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its attachments. Pedestrians 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
A lot of accidents involving forklifts happen at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor really slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and operators should know possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift drivers consist of both classroom instruction and practical training which can be tailored for the particular requirements of each work environment. Training should be completed on the forklift type and attachments which will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is about 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Most of these accidents are avoidable with proper operator training and attention to safety.