Counterbalance Forklift Training
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, anyone who utilizes a counterbalanced forklift must receive training. Training for these types of industrial machines consists of both hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is necessary occasionally so as to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not indicate a minimum time requirement for either the classroom or hands-on training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance lift truck could balance its load thanks to a counterbalance built into the truck. Tines could move up and down parallel to the truck's body. The blades do not pivot. Drivers who use counterbalanced forklifts must receive training about the specific forklifts they will be using and in the same workplace surroundings.
Classroom Training Programs
The lift truck 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 particular things like height, weight and load capacity. The driver would learn the basics of fueling or charging the forklift, that depends on whether the engine is gas-powered or battery-powered. Safety procedures regarding the specific forklift, like for example how to walk safely around the lift truck, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Driver training would be supervised to make certain that the operator would know how to properly operate the counterbalance lift truck. This practical training course would happen in the same kind of environment in which the operator would be working. The driver will train with the same kinds of surrounding buildings and other structures on the same kind of terrain, as well as similar vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Refresher Training
Although OSHA requires regular refresher training for counterbalanced forklift drivers, there are no specifications which determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. However, for regular drivers, refresher training should incorporate classroom-style training.