Lift trucks are really dangerous machines. Statistics by OSHA show that about 100 warehouse employees are killed every year in lift truck mishaps while they are operating them. An extra 95,000 workers are hurt on the job every year as well, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machinery.
Nearly all fatalities have been because of forklift turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the next highest percentage of fatalities. The third highest cause of death is being struck by the forklift itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling things due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Every fatality or injury is quite terrible and gruesome due to the capability and immense weight of these machines.
Who Should Conduct the Training?
All assessment and teaching needs to be taught by people who have the appropriate education, experience and knowledge to train powered industrial truck drivers the correct skills and then to evaluate their competence after that. Several examples of a qualified trainer consist of a person who has a certificate, specialized degree or professional standing in their possession, or who has extensive training, experience and knowledge utilizing lift trucks. A good candidate has lots of practice and has shown the capability to evaluate and train operators of industrial trucks.
There are resources accessible to choose from if their employer does not want to perform the training themselves. For example, they could employ in local health and safety organizations, like for example truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private teaching consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are usually local trade and vocational schools that will be really glad to offer some great resources.
There are many sites on the World Wide Web that are dedicated to lift truck safety. Private companies can be found on line which provide lift truck safety training services, such as videos and written programs. Nearly all safety videos could either be rented or leased or bought. One important factor to think about is that simply by showing your employees a video or a series of videos on lift truck safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and knowledge of the new drivers must be conveyed and evaluated by a specific method so as to make sure that the full training has been acquired.
When the driver has successfully passed all of the necessary training, a lift truck license will be given and they will legally be able to drive a forklift. Valid lift truck licenses are a requirement by organizations to be able to keep everybody at the workplace really safe.