Lift truck Truck Training
Operators have to undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to be given forklift operator certification. The training course must be specific to the forklift attachments and type which you will be using on the job. Training must also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Forklift safety should be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Anybody utilizing a lift truck should undergo both training and certification prior to assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for using a lift truck include being at least 18 years old and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a main concern of any lift truck operator. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians should always have the right of way, and forklift operators should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Numerous accidents involving lift trucks occur at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor really slippery. Wet floor conditions can result in a danger and operators have to be aware of possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift operators include both classroom instruction and practical training that could be tailored for the particular needs of each work setting. Training must be undertaken on the forklift type and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
Each year around 100 individuals die in forklift mishaps. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each year. The majority of these accidents are avoidable with attention to safety and proper operator training.