Lift truck Truck Training
To be given certification as a forklift driver, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training course must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments which you would be utilizing on the job. Training should also reflect the environment in which you would be working. Lift truck safety must be a main concern for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Qualifications
Anyone operating a forklift should undergo training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for operating a lift truck include being at least 18 years old and the physical capacity to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a top concern of any forklift driver. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians should always have the right of way, and forklift drivers must honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
A lot of mishaps involving forklifts happen at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor very slippery. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers have to be aware of potential dangers when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification programs include a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the specific requirements of the workplace. Training should be completed on the type of forklift and attachments which will be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
Each year about 100 individuals die in forklift accidents. There are 100,000 forklift injuries reported each and every year. Most of these accidents can be avoided with correct operator training and attention to safety.