Counterbalance Forklift Training
Based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, anyone who operates a counterbalanced forklift must have training. Training for these types of industrial equipment includes both hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is needed occasionally to keep operator skills up to date. OSHA does not indicate a minimum time requirement 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. Blades could move up and down parallel to the body of the truck. The blades do not rotate. Drivers who use counterbalanced lift trucks must have training about the particular lift trucks they will be driving and in the same workplace surroundings.
Classroom Training Courses
In classroom training, the lift truck operator would learn about the model he or she would be using. Information includes specifications such as load, height and weight capacity. The operator will be taught the basics of charging or fueling the forklift, that depends on whether it is a gas-powered or battery-powered engine. Safety procedures pertaining to the specific forklift, like for instance how to safely walk around the lift truck, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Driver training will be supervised to ensure that the operator would know how to properly use the counterbalance forklift. This practical training would take place in the same kind of setting in which the operator will be working. The operator will train on the same kind of terrain with the same types of surrounding buildings and other structures, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training Courses
Although OSHA requires regular refresher training for counterbalanced forklift operators, there are no specifications that determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. Then again, for regular drivers, refresher training has to comprise classroom-style training.