Based on the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. To be able to deal with certain workplace risks and particular workplace machinery, training has to be supplemented. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is essential that additional training should be offered.
Trainees can utilize a powered industrial truck only when they are under the direct supervision of individuals who have the skill, training and knowledge to train operators and assess their competence utilizing the equipment. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is necessary to make a practical assessment within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be certified. The certification must contain the training date, the name of the operator, and the name of the person performing the assessment 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 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 will be triggered by certain instances like: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, 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 instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it might be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice lift truck awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians in order to ensure everyone stays safe.