Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator based on lift truck regulations. Training however needs to be supplemented so as to address certain workplace risks and specific workplace machinery. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to maneuver a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; then again, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training needs to be offered.
Trainees can operate a motorized industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the skill, training and knowledge to train operators and evaluate their competence using the machinery. The trainees could only learn in an environment where such operation does not endanger other workers or the trainee themselves.
It is necessary to make a practical assessment in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training happen at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification has to include the training date, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and finally the date of evaluation. Though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is necessary. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. For instance, refresher training will be triggered by certain instances like: if there is a near miss or an accident, if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
When unsafe use of a lift truck is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For example, if an operator is willfully disobeying workplace safety regulations, it could be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for pedestrians and other employees working near forklifts in order to ensure everybody will be safe.