responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
Lift truck drivers typically are employed in factories and warehouses. Their job is to move materials and goods from one place to another. They have to be trained to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers should pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers perform a daily pre-shift forklift check. Lift truck operator training must consist of the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken each year.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a timely and safe method. This responsibility also involves the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the supplies which are to be moved could be part of the forklift operator's duties.
Quality Control
The operator of the forklift would be in charge of quality control. They need to make certain orders are correct and that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck operators should have great skills in both attention and awareness. Drivers need to be highly concerned with the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to handle challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator will have to determine the safest route to take. An operator's training would involve learning about the elements that might cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator has to be very familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit which they are using. A forklift operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid fatigue. Forklift mishaps are more likely to occur when a driver is exhausted.