Forklift Safety
Safe operation is critical for any business with employees who use forklifts or other powered industrial trucks. Accidents are a constant – and very real – threat.
To help reduce the risk of accidents, OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks Standard requires operators to receive the following forklift training:
- Formal instruction (e.g. video, discussion, lecture, written materials, etc.)
- Practical training (demonstrations and practical exercises)
- Evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace
Learn more about forklift training requirements, forklift certification and lift truck operator certification below. Plus, browse our variety of essential safety solutions.
Forklift Training
Forklift operator training and certification is essential to ensure a safe, compliant work environment. For proper forklift certification, operators must be trained on these topics:
- Vehicle capacity and stability
- Operating instructions
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements
- Load manipulation, stacking and unstacking
- Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated
- Operating in narrow aisles and restricted places
- The requirements of OSHA’s forklift standard
OSHA requires that the person doing the powered industrial truck training have the knowledge, training, skills, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence. It is the employer’s responsibility to determine who has the knowledge, training, skills and experience.
OSHA does not deem it necessary to require accreditation of the trainer, stating that trainers and evaluators with different backgrounds can achieve the level of ability necessary to teach and evaluate trainees. This can be the employer, an employee, or an outside training source.
Please email [email protected] or phone (301) 745-3999 for prices or to schedule a class.