Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anyone utilizing a counterbalanced lift truck be given classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training as well as a supervised driving course is completed. There is no required minimum time for the classroom training or supervised driving. Additionally, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalanced forklift's weight is used to balance its load using its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but could be raised and lowered to secure and transport cargo. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who would be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be correctly trained on the trucks while being in the environment which they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training provides information regarding the truck that the operator would be utilizing. This training covers aspects like load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the lift truck. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine along with any forklift 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 minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The lift truck driver needs to learn how to use the counterbalanced forklift while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in a place that reflects the environment the driver would be driving in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures nearby, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by also. There is no specific minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.