Forklifts are extremely dangerous machines. Data by OSHA show that around 100 warehouse workers are killed each year in forklift accidents while they are operating them. 95,000 more employees are injured on the job every year as well, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machinery.
Unfortunately, nearly all of the fatalities are because of lift truck turnovers. The next highest percentage of fatalities is due to being crushed between a forklift and another surface. The next highest cause of death is being struck by the forklift itself and last of all, getting hit from falling things because of a dropped load is the last statistic. Each injury or death is quite awful and gruesome because of the ability and immense weight of these equipment.
Who Must Conduct the Training?
All assessment and teaching has to be taught by people who have the appropriate training, experience and knowledge to train powered industrial truck operators the right skills and then to assess their competency after that. Some examples of a qualified trainer consist of an individual who has a license, specialized degree or professional standing in their possession, or somebody who has extensive training, experience and knowledge using lift trucks. A good candidate has lots of experience and has demonstrated the ability to train and evaluate operators of industrial trucks.
If the employer does not want to perform the training himself, there are numerous resources accessible for them to pick from. For instance, they can employ in local health and safety organizations, including the National Safety Council local chapters, truck manufacturers, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are often local trade and vocational schools which would be happy to provide some great resources.
The internet is full of websites committed to the safety of forklifts. There are also private companies which offer lift truck safety training services, like videos and written programs. Nearly all safety videos can either be rented or leased or purchased. One very important factor to consider is that simply by showing your workers a series of videos or a video on forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and skill of the new operators should be conveyed and evaluated by a particular method so as to ensure the complete training has been obtained.
Once drivers have passed their training requirements, they would receive a forklift license that allows them to drive a forklift. Valid lift truck certificates are a requirement by organizations so as to keep everyone at the workplace very safe.