Forklift

Forklift Training

OSHA requires that any employee who operates a forklift be trained and certified. The training addresses forklift design and parts, operation, driving rules, and maintenance requirements. Operator’s performance must be evaluated at least every three years. Refresher training is also available.

Why is safety important where forklifts are concerned?

The Bureau of Labor statistics estimates that approximately 90,000 forklift accidents occur annually that result in employee injuries, lost time or death. The four most common forklift-related deaths involve forklift overturns, workers on foot being struck by forklifts, workers being crushed by a forklift and drivers falling from forklifts. It is estimated that inadequate training causes 20-25% of the accidents.

The OSHA rule mandates that Fork Lift Operators are certified in safe operating procedures and gain a full understanding of how a forklift, fork truck or heavy duty front-end loader equipped with forks for lifting works. It is also important to make all employees in the facility aware of the dangers and limitations of a forklift in operation.

Fork Lift Operators are requires to be certified in operation and awareness training at least every three (3) years. Training material is available to Safety Subscribers on CD from Sue Schauls or

Free forklift training is available online, take the training course and the test at http://www.free-training.com/osha/forklift/forkmenu.htm. ARA University also has a training module available at http://www.arauniversity.org/

Forklift Operator Training

According to 29 CFR 1910.178 powered industrial truck operators will receive training on the following topics:

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