Lift truck Truck Training
In order to be given certification as a lift truck driver, you should undergo training on an industrial-powered lift truck, or forklift. The training must be specific to the forklift attachments and type that you would be utilizing on the job location. Training must also reflect the setting wherein you will be working. Lift truck safety should be a top priority for both the trainer and the operator trainee.
General Credentials
Prior to assuming any operator duties, all forklift drivers must undergo both training and certification. Basic credentials for using a lift truck include an age minimum of eighteen years and the physical ability to safely operate and control the unit.
Pedestrian Safety
The top concern of any forklift operator must be the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians near the forklift are at risk of death or injury from getting hit by the machinery or its additions. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and lift truck operators should honk their horns when working near pedestrians or at crosswalks or intersections.
Weather Conditions
Forklift accidents frequently occur on loading docks. These places become dangerous if rain leaks in through open dock doors resulting in an extremely slippery floor. Wet floor conditions create a hazard and drivers must be aware of potential hazards when working in loading dock areas.
Certification
Certification courses for forklift drivers include both practical training and classroom instruction which can be tailored for the specific requirements of each work environment. Training must be undertaken on the kind of forklift and attachments which will be used by the trainee in the workplace.
Mishaps
On average, there is approximately 100 deaths attributed to forklift accidents, while over 100,000 are injured by lift trucks. Most of these accidents can be avoided with attention to safety and correct operator training.