Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator according to forklift rules. Training nonetheless has to be supplemented in order to deal with specific workplace hazards and particular workplace equipment. Like for instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to utilize forklifts under direct supervision of just people who have the necessary training and knowledge to train and evaluate the trainees competence on the lift truck. The trainees could just learn in an environment where such operation does not endanger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical assessment in the workplace is also necessary. 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 should include the operator name, the training date, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and lastly the assessment date. Even though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is necessary to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator shows some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. For instance, refresher training will be triggered by some instances including: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different type of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe use of a forklift is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules willfully, it might be essential to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice lift truck awareness training for other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to ensure everyone stays safe.