Counterbalance Forklift Training
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, anyone who utilizes a counterbalanced lift truck is required to have training. Training for these kinds of industrial machinery consists of both classroom training and hands-on driver training. Refresher training is necessary periodically in order to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not specify a minimum time requirement for either the hands-on or classroom training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance forklift could balance its cargo because of a counterbalance built into the truck. Blades could move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The forks do not rotate. Operators who use counterbalanced lift trucks should have training about the particular forklifts they will be driving and in a similar workplace surroundings.
Classroom Training Programs
The lift truck driver will learn the basics of the model of lift truck they will be using in classroom training. They would learn info about the lift trucks specific things like height, weight and load capacity. The driver would be taught the basics of fueling or charging the forklift, that depends on whether the engine is battery-powered or gas-powered. Safety information regarding the specific forklift, such as how to walk safely around the lift truck, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Supervised driver training will make sure that the lift truck driver knows how to use the counterbalanced forklift. This practical training would take place in the same kind of setting in which the operator will be working. The operator will train with the same types of nearby buildings and other structures on the same kind of terrain, as well as the same vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Refresher Training Courses
Counterbalance forklift drivers are required by OSHA to take a regular refresher training course. Nevertheless, there are no specifications as to the frequency at which a driver needs this training. However, for regular operators, refresher training courses needs to include classroom-style training.