According to the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. In order to deal with specific workplace risks and particular workplace machinery, training has to be supplemented. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to be able to steer a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace that has a ramp, it is necessary that extra training has to be offered.
Trainees may use a motorized industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the experience, training and knowledge to train operators and assess their skill utilizing the machinery. The trainees can only learn in an environment where such operation does not endanger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical evaluation in the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the workplace, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should contain the training date, the name of the operator, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and lastly the date of evaluation. Though certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. For example, refresher training will be triggered by some occurrences including: if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is a near miss or an accident, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety regulations willfully, it may be essential to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians in order to ensure everybody stays safe.