Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machinery found in factories and in warehouses. They are used to move and transport bulk things which are very heavy to lift or carry by hand. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to safely utilize a forklift. Most employers prefer a degree in high school. As the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it could be dangerous if not handled correctly, therefore, the skills of the driver are extremely important.
Good Judgment
In order to estimate the weight of a load, the forklift driver needs to have good judgement, able to judge both the weight and height of the cargo. Knowing the particulars would help to guarantee that the forklift and load would fit it designed area. It is very vital to have proper judgement to be able to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Operator skills which come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. For example, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver must be able to respond quickly and try to rectify the issue. To be able to avoid mishaps, a high level of concentration is required when operating and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a forklift driver is that they need to be adaptable to the work setting. This can be continually changing depending on the job. Some forklift jobs need operators to be exposed to dangerous machinery, damaging materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Work atmospheres and warehouses could be busy places. The forklift driver should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety in general. Furthermore, lots of forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload supplies or transport items; thus, the driver must be ready at the likelihood of working in poor weather conditions.
Machine Maintenance
Operators should be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy machinery works. Operators should learn how to double check an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety checklist and could guarantee that the steering, the horn, the lights, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
Forklift truck drivers need to also understand how to properly maintain the vehicles and need to know when something is not working correctly. An essential part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain machinery problems to mechanics.