Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for lift truck operators to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their tasks will include the lifting and moving of materials and goods from one area to another. They have to be taught to operate the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators should pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift drivers perform a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Lift truck driver training must comprise the proper performance of safety checks to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on an annual basis.
Loading and Unloading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of unloading and loading supplies in a timely and safe way. This responsibility also includes the stacking of goods in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the supplies that are to be moved could be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They must make sure orders are correct and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Forklift drivers must have good skills in both attention and awareness. Operators have to be highly concerned with the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to handle challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver should determine the route which is the safest. An operator's training will include learning about the elements that may cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator should be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit which they are operating. A forklift operator must be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Forklift accidents are more likely to happen when a driver is exhausted.