Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator according to lift truck rules. Training nevertheless has to be supplemented so as to deal with certain workplace hazards and particular workplace machines. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to be able to navigate a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is vital that additional training must be provided.
Trainees could utilize a powered industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the skill, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their skill utilizing the machine. The trainees could just learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical evaluation in the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be certified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should include the date of training, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and lastly the evaluation date. Though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Refresher training is vital to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator shows some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. Like for instance, refresher training would be triggered by certain instances including: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe use is noticed. For instance, if an operator is willfully disobeying workplace safety regulations, it might be required to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice lift truck awareness training for pedestrians and other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts so as to ensure everyone stays safe.