Lift truck Truck Training
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck in order to receive forklift operator certification. The training program must be specific to the forklift type and attachments which you would be utilizing on the job location. Training should also reflect the atmosphere wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a main concern for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Qualifications
Anyone utilizing a lift truck must undergo both training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for using a lift truck include an age minimum of 18 years and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a top concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift 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 must honk their horns when working at crosswalks or intersections or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Many 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 could lead to a danger and operators should know possible dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification programs for lift truck drivers consist of both practical training and classroom instruction that can be tailored for the specific requirements of each work setting. Training should be completed on the kind of forklift and attachments which will 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 lift trucks. The majority of these accidents can be avoided with attention to safety and proper operator training.