Employers are not required to replicate past training of a new operator based on lift truck rules. Training however has to be supplemented so as to deal with particular workplace hazards and specific workplace equipment. For example, an operator doesn't have to be trained to maneuver a forklift on a ramp if that work place does not have a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is essential that extra training should be provided.
Trainees are just allowed to utilize lift trucks under direct supervision of just individuals who have the necessary training and knowledge to train and evaluate the trainees competence on the lift truck. The trainees could just learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment in the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training happen at the workplace, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
When an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification should include the operator name, the date of training, and the name of the person performing the training and assessment and lastly the evaluation date. Even though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is required. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. Like for instance, refresher training would be triggered by certain occurrences like: if a different kind of lift truck 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 has to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. For example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules deliberately, it can be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And finally, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working near forklifts so as to make sure that everybody will be safe.