Lift truck Truck Training Course
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift in order to receive forklift operator certification. The training must be specific to the forklift type and attachments that you will be utilizing on the job site. Training must also reflect the atmosphere in which you would be working. Forklift safety should be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Anyone operating a lift truck must undergo both training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic credentials for operating a lift truck include an age of at least 18 years and the physical capacity to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a main concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the equipment or its attachments. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and forklift drivers must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at intersections or crosswalks.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck accidents usually take place on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor extremely slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers must be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift operators consist of both practical training and classroom instruction which could be tailored for the specific needs of each work setting. Training should be undertaken on the forklift type and attachments which would be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
On average, there is about 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while over 100,000 are injured by forklifts. The majority of these accidents could be avoided with correct operator training and attention to safety.