The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) can fine companies up to $7,000 for allowing untrained employees to operate industrial equipment like forklifts. This makes forklift training a necessity for any employee or employer operating a forklift, but luckily, the process is relatively fast and inexpensive.
Forklift Training Process
The forklift training process is comprised of three basic steps. First, the trainee will take a “formal” training course, which is typically completed online or via a computer program supplied by an employer. This lecture-style video instruction is then followed by a brief test, which the trainee must pass with a score of at least 70%. Finally, the trainee must complete a “practical” training phase, which involves hands-on training and actual equipment operation under the supervision of another licensed forklift operator.
Topics and Skills Covered
In the formal forklift training phase, the trainee can expect to primarily cover basic safety issues and details regarding the general operation of industrial equipment. These topics might include engine monitoring, ramp operation, fork detachment and reattachment, working around pedestrians, and operating forklifts in hazardous weather. The practical training step then asks the trainee to apply these skills, though the nature of the particular exercises and hands-on tests are designed at the discretion of the employer or trainer.
Forklift Training Kit
Those who opt to take an online training course will likely find many references to a forklift training “kit.” Basically, this kit includes all of the paperwork needed to verify that each trainee has completed all of the necessary steps for getting your forklift driver certification. For instance, a kit will typically offer a forklift training video, an operational guide, written tests, OSHA forklift inspection checklists for the hands-on evaluation portion, and wallet cards to present to an employer. These materials can be purchased by an individual, or bought in bulk by a company in order to train its own employees.
How to Become a Forklift Trainer
The OSHA stipulates that anyone previously trained in forklift operation can oversee forklift training. Beyond this, the OSHA does not itself certify any trainers. This broad category, then, includes such positions as foreman, supervisor, warehouse manager, safety officer, or even company owner. The OSHA also does not accredit any specific training programs; thus, most trainers also complete their certification programs online or on-the-job, and then evaluate their fellow employees. OSHA leaves the monitoring of this certification in the hands of the employer as well.
The Benefits of Forklift Training
Forklift training not only ensures a safer working environment, but can also save employers significant amounts of money in insurance costs. Companies that cannot provide documentation of forklift training for all of their employees will likely see these costs skyrocket. Additionally, forklift training also ensures that businesses are operating within the laws set forth by the OSHA in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
Forklift training is a necessary safety precaution for anyone operating heavy machinery. It can be completed for as little as $50, with more specialized and in-depth training programs costing closer to $300. Those already employed as forklift operators can generally complete certification on the job site for no additional cost; new employees will often find that this certification is a prerequisite for employment, and may also be completed free of charge after the interview process.