Lift truck Truck Training
Operators must undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck to receive forklift operator certification. The training course should be specific to the forklift attachments and type which you will be using on the job. Training must also reflect the setting wherein you would be working. Lift truck safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Credentials
Anybody utilizing a forklift must undergo both training and certification prior to assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for using a lift truck include being at least eighteen years old and the physical ability to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a main concern of any lift truck operator. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck drivers must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at intersections or crosswalks.
Weather Conditions
Forklift accidents often take place on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors resulting in a very slippery floor. Wet floor conditions could lead to a hazard and drivers have to be aware of possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck drivers consist of both classroom instruction and practical training that can be tailored for the specific requirements of each work setting. Training must be undertaken on the type of forklift and attachments which would be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Each year roughly 100 people die in forklift accidents. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each year. Most of these accidents are avoidable with correct operator training and attention to safety.