According to the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. To be able to deal with particular workplace risks and particular workplace machinery, training needs to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is necessary that extra training should be offered.
Trainees could use a powered industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of individuals who have the skill, training and knowledge to train operators and assess their skill using the machine. The trainees could just learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger other workers or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment within the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the jobsite, utilizing 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 should contain the name of the operator, the date of training, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and finally the assessment date. Even though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is vital to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator shows some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck operation. For instance, refresher training would be triggered by certain occurrences like: if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules willfully, it may be essential to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other employees working near forklifts in order to ensure everybody will be safe.