Lift truck Truck Training
Operators should undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck to receive forklift driver certification. The training course must be specific to the lift truck type and attachments that you would be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Forklift safety must be a top priority for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Before assuming any operator duties, all forklift operators should undergo certification and training. Basic credentials for driving a forklift include being at least 18 years old and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The safety of pedestrians should be a main concern of any forklift driver. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of injury or death from getting hit by the machine 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 forklifts happen at loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors leading to an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and operators should be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for lift truck operators include both practical training and classroom instruction that could be tailored for the specific needs of each work setting. Training should be undertaken on the kind of forklift and attachments that would be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is roughly 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while more than 100,000 are injured by forklifts. The majority of these accidents can be avoided with attention to safety and correct operator training.