Counterbalance Forklift Training
Anyone who uses a counterbalanced forklift should have training, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Training includes a combination of hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is needed periodically in order to keep operator skills up to date. OSHA does not indicate a required minimum time for either the hands-on or classroom training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its cargo using a counterbalance built into the truck. The blades move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The tines do not rotate. Operators who drive counterbalanced lift trucks should have training about the particular lift trucks they would be using and in the same workplace setting.
Classroom Training
The forklift operator will learn the basics of the model of lift truck they would be utilizing in classroom training. They will learn info about the lift trucks particular things such as height, weight and load capacity. The driver will learn the basics of charging or fueling the lift truck, which depends on whether the engine is gas-powered or battery-powered. Safety measures pertaining to the particular lift truck, like how to walk safely around the forklift, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Driver training would be supervised to make sure that the driver would know how to correctly use the counterbalance lift truck. This practical training course will happen in the same type of environment in which the operator will be working. The operator will train with the same types of surrounding buildings and other structures on the same type of terrain, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training Programs
Though OSHA requires periodic refresher training for counterbalanced lift truck operators, there are no specifications which determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. However, for regular operators, refresher training programs should comprise classroom-style training.