Employers are not required to repeat previous training of a new operator according to forklift rules. Training however needs to be supplemented in order to deal with certain workplace risks and specific workplace machinery. For example, an operator doesn't need to be trained to be able to steer a forklift on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; however, if the operator is really assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is essential that extra training needs to be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to use lift trucks under direct supervision of only individuals who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees could just learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other workers or the trainee themselves.
It is essential to make a practical assessment in the workplace. 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 accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification has to include the training date, the operator name, and the name of the individual performing the evaluation and training and lastly the evaluation date. Even if certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck operation. For example, refresher training would be triggered by certain instances like for instance: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is a near miss or an accident, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe use is noticed. For example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety regulations intentionally, it can be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians in order to make certain that everyone will be safe.