Counterbalance Forklift Training Courses
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, anybody who operates a counterbalanced forklift must receive training. Training for these kinds of industrial vehicles includes both hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is required occasionally so as to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not specify a required minimum time for either the classroom or hands-on training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its cargo using a counterbalance built into the truck. The forks move up and down parallel to the body of the truck. The forks do not pivot. Drivers who use counterbalanced forklifts must have training on the particular forklifts they would be utilizing and in the same workplace setting.
Classroom Training Courses
The forklift driver will be taught the basics of the model of forklift they would be using in classroom training. They will learn info about the forklifts specific things like load, height and weight capacity. The operator would learn the basics of charging or fueling the forklift, depending on whether the engine is battery-powered or gas-powered. Safety measures pertaining to the particular lift truck, like how to safely walk around the lift truck, would be covered.
Supervised Driving
Driver training will be supervised to make certain that the operator will know how to properly operate the counterbalance lift. This practical training will take place in the same type of environment wherein the driver would be working. The driver will train on the same kind of terrain with the same kinds of surrounding buildings and other structures, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training
Although OSHA requires regular refresher training for counterbalanced lift truck operators, there are no specifications determining the frequency of refresher training or its contents. However, for regular operators, refresher training has to include classroom-style training.