Employers are not required to replicate past training of a new operator according to lift truck regulations. Training nevertheless has to be supplemented in order to deal with certain workplace risks and specific workplace machines. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained to maneuver a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; then again, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training must be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to operate forklifts under direct supervision of just people who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees can only learn in an environment where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is necessary to make a practical evaluation within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
When an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification needs to include the training date, the operator name, and the name of the individual performing the evaluation and training and lastly the assessment date. Though certain state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is required to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator demonstrates some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. Like for example, refresher training will be triggered by some occurrences like for example: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
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 could be essential to implement disciplinary action. And finally, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary 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.