According to the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. In order to address particular workplace hazards and specific workplace machinery, training has to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to maneuver a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; then again, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is vital that additional training needs to be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to use forklifts under direct supervision of just individuals who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and evaluate the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees could only learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical evaluation within the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be certified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should contain the operator name, the training date, and the name of the individual performing the training and evaluation and lastly the date of evaluation. Though certain state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. Like for instance, refresher training will be triggered by certain occurrences like for instance: if a different type of lift truck 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.
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 willfully disobeying workplace safety rules, it may be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And finally, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to ensure everyone stays safe.