Counterbalance lift truck Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators utilizing a counterbalanced forklift to have received lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a supervised driving course is finished along with periodic refresher training. There is no required minimum time for the classroom training or supervised driving. Moreover, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is used to balance its load using its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but can be lowered and raised to secure and transport loads. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of setting which they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom would provide lift truck and driver information for the truck you will be using. Most training will cover several aspects like the load and weight capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The operator of a lift truck would need to learn to utilize the machine while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the present environment which the operator works in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby, and similar surrounding structures close by also. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.