Lift truck Truck Training Course
To be given certification as a forklift driver, you have to undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training course should be specific to the forklift type and attachments that you will be using on the job. Training should also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers must undergo both certification and training. Basic credentials for operating a lift truck include being at least 18 years old and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a main concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its attachments. Pedestrians must always have the right of way, and forklift operators should honk their horns when working at intersections or crosswalks or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Many accidents involving forklifts occur at loading docks. These places become hazardous if rain leaks in through open dock doors causing an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions could result in a danger and operators must be aware of possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck drivers consist of both practical training and classroom instruction that could be tailored for the specific needs of each work setting. Training should be completed on the type of forklift and attachments which would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while more than 100,000 are injured by forklifts. Most of these accidents could be prevented with attention to safety and correct operator training.