Hours

4-8 Hours

Description

Forklifts, or Industrial Trucks, are versatile machines found in almost every facility. Although forklifts are very useful tools, they are involved in many workplace injuries. These injuries are most often due to improper use. Therefore, OSHA has mandated the training and evaluation of every employee who operates an industrial truck.

All employees who may use a forklift must be trained and authorized by their employer to operate a forklift, even if it is only an occasional part of their job duties.

Topics

• Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions
• The difference between the forklift and the automobile
• Forklift controls and instrumentation
• Engine or motor operation
• Steering and maneuverability
• Visibility
• Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and limitations
• Vehicle capacity
• Vehicle stability
• Vehicle inspection and operator maintenance
• Refueling (liquid, gas, electrical)
• Operating limitations
• Surface conditions
• Load composition
• Stacking and un-stacking
• Pedestrian traffic
• Vehicle restricted area

Other Information

REFRESHER TRAINING:
Forklift refresher training requirements call for evaluation and certification of competence by the employer at least once every 3 years, and more often in the following circumstances:

• The operator operates vehicle in unsafe manner
• The operator is involved in an accident or near miss
• The operator has received a poor evaluation
• Assignment to a different type of forklift
• Workplace conditions change