Based on the lift truck regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. In order to deal with particular workplace hazards and specific workplace equipment, training has to be supplemented. For instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained in order to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; then again, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to utilize forklifts under direct supervision of only individuals who have the necessary training and knowledge to train and evaluate the trainees skill on the lift truck. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment in the workplace is also essential. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training happen 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 must include the operator name, the date of training, and the name of the individual performing the training and assessment and finally the date of evaluation. 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 could also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck operation. Like for instance, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like for instance: if a different type 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.
When unsafe use of a lift truck is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it can be required to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to make certain that everybody stays safe.