According to the forklift rules, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. In order to address certain workplace risks and specific workplace machines, training needs to be supplemented. For instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is vital that extra training must be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to use lift trucks under direct supervision of only people who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess 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.
It is essential to make a practical evaluation in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should include the date of training, the name of the operator, and the name of the individual performing the assessment and training and finally the evaluation date. Though certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck operation. For instance, refresher training would be triggered by some instances 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.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. Like for example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it can be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And finally, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice lift truck awareness training for pedestrians and other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts so as to make sure that everyone stays safe.