Duties of a Forklift Driver
Forklift operators usually are employed in warehouses and factories. Their job is to transport materials and loads from one location to another. They need to be trained to utilized the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers carry out a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Forklift driver training must include the proper performance of safety checks to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on an annual basis.
Loading and Unloading
Lift truck drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading supplies in a safe and timely way. This job also involves the stacking of materials in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The responsibilities of a forklift operator can include weighing the materials that are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
The operator of the forklift would be in charge of quality control. They should make sure that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse and orders are accurate.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift driver must have excellent skills in attention and awareness to safety. Operators should exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The operator will have to find the safest way to deal with challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator should determine the safest route to take. An operator's training will include learning about the elements which can cause a forklift to tip over. The driver should be very familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit that they are operating. A lift truck operator has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents associated to lift trucks are more likely to occur when an operator is exhausted.