According to the lift truck regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. In order to address specific workplace hazards and particular workplace machines, training needs to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is essential that additional training needs to be provided.
Trainees may utilize a motorized industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of individuals who have the skill, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their skill operating the machine. The trainees can only learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is vital to make a practical assessment in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should include the training date, the operator name, and the name of the individual performing the evaluation and training and lastly the date of evaluation. Even if some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Refresher training is required to be completed every 3 years. It is also required any time an operator shows some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. For example, refresher training will be triggered by certain occurrences like: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different kind of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a lift truck is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it may be required to implement disciplinary action. And finally, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians in order to make certain that everybody stays safe.