Counterbalance Forklift Training
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, anyone who utilizes a counterbalanced lift truck must have training. Training for these types of industrial vehicles comprises both hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is required occasionally in order to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not specify a required minimum time for either the classroom or hands-on training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance forklift could balance its cargo because of a counterbalance built into the truck. Forks can move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The blades do not rotate. Operators driving counterbalanced lift trucks must receive training about the specific trucks they would be using and in the same workplace setting.
Classroom Training Programs
The forklift driver will learn the basics of the model of lift truck they would be utilizing in classroom training. They will learn info about the forklifts particular things such as weight, load and height capacity. The operator would be taught the basics of charging or fueling the lift truck, depending on whether the engine is battery-powered or gas-powered. Safety information regarding the particular lift truck, such as how to walk safely around the forklift, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Driver training will be supervised to make sure that the driver would know how to correctly drive the counterbalance lift truck. This practical training will take place in the same type of environment wherein the driver will be working. The driver will train with the same kinds of nearby buildings and other structures on the same type of terrain, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training Courses
Though OSHA requires regular refresher training for counterbalanced forklift operators, there are no specifications which determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. However, for regular operators, refresher training should include classroom-style training.