Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators utilizing a counterbalanced lift truck to have received lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training along with a supervised driving course is completed. There is no minimum time requirement for the classroom training or supervised driving. What's more, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its load using the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not pivot. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. OSHA require that people who will be utilizing counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of setting that they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style will offer lift truck and operator information for the truck you would be using. Most training would include several aspects like the load and weight capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any lift truck specific safety information including where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The forklift driver has to learn how to operate the counterbalanced lift truck while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in an area that reflects the environment the driver would be driving in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby, and similar surrounding structures close by as well. There is no specific minimum number of hours the operator needs to drive while being supervised.