According to the lift truck rules, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. In order to address certain workplace hazards and particular workplace machines, training has to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to maneuver a forklift on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is really assigned to work someplace that has a ramp, it is necessary that extra training must be offered.
Trainees may utilize a powered industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the experience, knowledge and training to train operators and evaluate their skill utilizing the machinery. The trainees can only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger the trainee themselves or other employees.
It is necessary to make a practical evaluation in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be certified. The certification needs to include the name of the operator, the training date, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and finally the evaluation date. Though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck use. For instance, refresher training would be triggered by certain occurrences like: if a different kind of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. For instance, if an operator is intentionally disobeying workplace safety rules, it could be required to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians in order to make sure that everyone stays safe.