Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
The powered industrial truck or forklift is a heavy duty equipment found in practically every factory and warehouse. These reliable and tough machinery could lift and transport heavy things that are not able to raise by hand. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it can be dangerous if not properly handled, therefore, the skills of the driver are extremely important.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator has to have good judgment to be able to estimate how much a load weighs. They need to be able to judge the width and height of the cargo so as to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is very vital to have proper judgement in order to move the lift truck around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Required forklift skills skills include quick reflexes and excellent hand-eye coordination. For example, if a stack of things in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the driver should be able to respond quickly and try to solve the problem. In order to avoid accidents, a high level of concentration is required when operating and working in the vicinity of these machinery.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a lift truck operator is that they have to be adaptable to the work surroundings. This can be continually changing depending on the task. Some forklift tasks require operators to be exposed to dangerous machines, harmful materials, fumes, odors or loud noises. Warehouses and work surroundings could be really busy places. The operator of the forklift should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety in general. Furthermore, numerous forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload supplies or transport things; thus, the driver should be ready at the likelihood of working in poor weather.
Machinery Maintenance
Operators must be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy equipment works. Operators have to learn how to double check an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety checklist and could make sure that the steering, the horn, the lights, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
Forklift truck drivers have to also understand how to correctly maintain the vehicles and have to know when something is not working properly. An essential part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about equipment issues.