Counterbalance Forklift Training
Anyone who utilizes a counterbalanced forklift is required to receive training, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies. Training includes a combination of classroom training and hands-on driver training. Refresher training is required periodically to keep operator skills up to date. OSHA does not indicate a required minimum time for either the hands-on or classroom training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance forklift can balance its load due to a counterbalance built into the truck. Blades can move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The forks do not rotate. Operators driving counterbalanced forklifts must have training about the specific lift trucks they will be utilizing and in a similar workplace surroundings.
Classroom Training
The forklift operator would learn the basics of the model of forklift they would be using in classroom training. They will learn info regarding the forklifts specific things like weight, load and height capacity. The operator will be taught the basics of fueling or charging the lift truck, depending on whether it is a battery-powered or gas-powered engine. Safety information regarding the specific truck, like for instance how to safely walk around the forklift, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Driver training will be supervised to ensure that the driver will know how to correctly utilize the counterbalance lift truck. This practical training will happen in the same kind of environment wherein the driver would be working. The operator would train on the same type of terrain with the same kinds of surrounding buildings and other structures, as well as similar pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training Programs
Although OSHA requires regular refresher training for counterbalanced lift truck drivers, there are no specifications which determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. Then again, for regular drivers, refresher training courses has to incorporate classroom-style training.