Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty equipment found in practically every factory and warehouse. These reliable and tough machines can lift and transport heavy items that are not able to raise manually. There is some particular training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it can be dangerous if not correctly handled, therefore, the driver's skills are very important.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator has to have good judgment so as to estimate the weight of a load. They have to be able to judge the width and height of the cargo in order to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is essential to have good judgement to be able to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to capably drive the machinery in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Driver skills that come in handy are quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. Like for example, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver has to be able to quickly respond and try to rectify the problem. In order to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is necessary when utilizing and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Depending on the task, amongst the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending upon each task, this can change on a continuous basis. Some forklift tasks require drivers to be exposed to dangerous machines, harmful materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Warehouses and work atmosphere could be busy places. The operator of the forklift should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. Moreover, numerous forklift jobs require being outdoors to transport items or unload supplies; thus, the operator has to be prepared at the possibility of working in bad weather conditions.
Equipment Maintenance
Drivers must be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy equipment works. Operators should learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and can ensure that the horn, the lights, the steering, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are functioning at an optimal level.
The operator of the forklift should also be able to correctly maintain the lift truck and have to know when something is not working properly. An essential part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about machine problems.