Counterbalance Forklift Training
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, anyone who operates a counterbalanced forklift is required to receive training. Training for these types of industrial machinery includes both classroom training and hands-on driver training. Refresher training is required occasionally in order to keep driver 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 is able to balance its load because of a counterbalance built into the truck. Blades could move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The blades do not pivot. Operators who drive counterbalanced lift trucks should have training on the specific forklifts they will be driving and in the same workplace surroundings.
Classroom Training Programs
In classroom training, the lift truck operator would learn about the model she or he will be utilizing. Information consists of specifications like weight, load and height capacity. The driver will be taught the basics of charging or fueling the forklift, which depends on whether the engine is gas-powered or battery-powered. Safety procedures regarding the particular lift truck, such as how to safely walk around the lift truck, will be covered.
Supervised Driving
Supervised driver training would make certain that the forklift operator knows how to operate the counterbalanced forklift. This practical training course would take place in the same kind of setting in which the driver would be working. The driver would train with the same sorts of surrounding buildings and other structures on the same type of terrain, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training Programs
Counterbalance lift truck operators are required by OSHA to take a regular refresher training program. Nevertheless, there are no specifications as to the frequency at which a driver requires this training. Then again, for regular drivers, refresher training programs should comprise classroom-style training.