Forklift operators are the backbone of any warehouse or manufacturing facility. They are responsible for moving equipment and materials around a warehouse safely and efficiently. To do this safely, operators must receive forklift training in all aspects of safety.
Do you have forklift operators that use your warehouse or office building?
Do they complete specific training before operating these potentially dangerous devices?
These aren’t the kinds of questions you should leave to chance. But you should also not count on your operators to remember the safety procedures you’ve taught them.
Operator negligence is still the leading cause of forklift accidents, according to industrial vehicle data on construction and manufacturing sites throughout the United States. A forklift is a foundational part of your warehouse operations.
It’s crucial that the staff involved in your operations be appropriately trained to operate and maintain their equipment. This includes loading and unloading goods in your warehouse — as well as taking these goods from place to place.
Forklifts are a significant safety concern for organizations today; unfortunately, research states that about one-third of forklift accidents involve some injury
There are two main types of forklift safety training: basic and advanced.
It’s designed for entry-level operators who only occasionally operate forklifts or have limited experience.
It’s designed for experienced operators with at least 12 months of experience operating regularly in potentially dangerous locations like construction sites or warehouses filled with hazardous materials where accidents could result in serious injuries or death if proper precautions are not involved.
There are many types of forklift licenses, but the ones most important to you as an operator are Class A and B.
In addition to these two classes, there are non-commercial operator licenses for smaller vehicles like scissor lifts and pallet jacks.
These licenses require less training time and knowledge than commercial licenses do. However, they aren’t nearly as valuable when operating on a warehouse floor or inside shipping containers because they aren’t powerful enough.
Many companies offer forklift courses, so it is essential to choose wisely, as there are many factors to consider when selecting an online course provider. You should check their accreditation and see if they have any previous experience providing such courses before enrolling in their program to learn at your own pace.
“Forklift safety is a critical component of workplace safety. It is important for companies to ensure that their employees are properly trained in the safe operation of forklifts and that they are equipped with the necessary safety equipment.”
– John Henshaw, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA
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The OSHA test is relatively simple. You will be asked about the safety precautions that must be taken when operating a forklift and the types of hazards when operating one. There are also questions about how to inspect and maintain your equipment properly.
It depends on your role in the workplace. An entry-level license may be sufficient if you’re a warehouse worker who operates a forklift occasionally. However, if you’ll be operating a forklift all day long or regularly driving them in hazardous conditions, you should consider taking more rigorous classes that lead to advanced licenses.
It’s to ensure that all operators are trained on the specific tasks they will perform with their particular equipment type. For example, if you work in an automotive manufacturing facility, you must be certified in “material handling.” This certification will teach you how to use your specific type of equipment safely and legally within your facility.
A forklift certification involves training employees who operate forklifts in warehouses or other facilities. The certification process usually involves passing a test based on state regulations for forklift operators to receive certification from the state agency responsible for overseeing them.
The most commonly used certification is the Forklift Operator Certification Training (FOC) program created by OSHA. It’s designed to help operators learn how to operate a forklift safely and efficiently in a warehouse environment. It also covers topics like lifting techniques, hazards associated with lifting heavy loads, operating procedures, speed limits, and other issues related to operating a forklift safely.
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