Lift truck Truck Training
To be given certification as a lift truck driver, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training should be specific to the forklift type and attachments which you will be utilizing on the job. Training should also reflect the atmosphere wherein you would be working. Forklift safety must be a main concern for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all lift truck drivers should undergo training and certification. Basic credentials for utilizing a lift truck include being at least eighteen years old and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians must be a main concern of any lift truck driver. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machine or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and forklift drivers should honk their horns when working at intersections or crosswalks or near pedestrians.
Weather Conditions
Lots of accidents involving lift trucks take place at loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor very slippery. Wet floor conditions can result in a danger and operators must know potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Lift truck certification courses consist of a combination of practical training and classroom instruction tailored to the particular requirements of the workplace. Training must be undertaken on the type of forklift and attachments that would be utilized by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift mishaps, while over 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. Nearly all of these accidents could be prevented with correct operator training and attention to safety.