Lift truck Truck Training
In order to receive certification as a forklift driver, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered forklift, or lift truck. The training must be specific to the forklift type and attachments which you will be utilizing on the job. Training must also reflect the environment in which you will be working. Lift truck safety must be a main concern for both the operator trainee and the trainer.
General Qualifications
Anybody using a forklift must undergo both training and certification before assuming operator duties. Basic qualifications for operating a lift truck include being at least eighteen years old and the physical ability to control and operate the unit safely.
Pedestrian Safety
The main concern of any forklift operator should be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians in the vicinity of the lift truck are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the equipment or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck drivers should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at intersections or crosswalks.
Weather Conditions
Lift truck accidents frequently take place on loading docks. These areas become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors making the floor very slippery. Wet floor conditions can lead to a danger and operators should be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Forklift certification courses consist of a combination of classroom instruction and practical training tailored to the particular requirements of the workplace. Training should be undertaken on the type of forklift and attachments which will be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Accidents
On average, there is about 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while more than 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. The majority of these accidents are avoidable with attention to safety and proper operator training.