Lift Truck Training
Lots of industries make use of powered industrial trucks for material handling. In the recycling industry, internal combustion powered forklifts are popular. Lift truck operation need well trained operators. Training is a requirement in North America, and for a very good reason. A forklift could inflict personal injury or serious property damage if not utilized safely. A forklift which is loaded could weight three times as much as a car. Lift trucks are responsible for a huge percentage of industrial accidents, either as the secondary or the primary source of the accident. Reports of fatalities or injuries involving both operators or pedestrians are all too commonplace.
Training Requirement
Employers must develop and apply a training program for operators based on four factors: the types of vehicles being utilized within the workplace, the general principles of safe truck operation, the general safety requirements, according to OSHA and the certain hazards of the workplace. Training includes both practical and formal parts. At the completion of the training, operators must pass an assessment showing they have the ability to operate the truck properly. OSHA also requires that powered industrial truck operators should be trained in certain specific topics which apply to safely operating a lift truck.