Lift truck Truck Training
To be given certification as a forklift driver, you must undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training must be specific to the forklift type and attachments which you would be utilizing on the job. Training should also reflect the setting wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a main concern for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all lift truck operators must undergo both training and certification. Basic credentials for operating a forklift include an age of at least 18 years and the physical capacity to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The top concern of any forklift driver should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machinery or its attachments. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck drivers must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck mishaps frequently occur on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor really slippery. Wet floor conditions can lead to a hazard and drivers should know possible hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck operators 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 that will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Every year approximately 100 individuals die in forklift mishaps. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported every year. The majority of these accidents are avoidable with attention to safety and proper operator training.