Lift trucks are very dangerous machines. Data by OSHA prove that around 100 warehouse workers are killed each year in lift truck mishaps while they are utilizing them. An additional 95,000 employees are hurt on the job on a yearly basis as well, using these heavy pieces of industrial machines.
Most fatalities have been because of lift truck turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the second highest percentage of fatalities. The next highest cause of death is being struck by the lift truck itself and lastly, getting hit from falling objects because of a dropped load is the last statistic. Each and every injury or fatality is quite awful and frightening due to the capability and immense weight of these machinery.
Who Should Conduct the Training?
All training and assessment for forklift operation has to be taught by properly trained instructors. These trainers must have the experience and knowledge to teach potential operators the required skills to evaluate their competence afterwards. Some examples of a skilled trainer comprise an individual who has a certificate, specialized degree or professional status in their possession, or who has extensive training, knowledge and experience using lift trucks. A good candidate has plenty of experience and has demonstrated the ability to teach and assess industrial truck drivers.
If the employer does not wish to perform the training himself, there are many resources available for them to pick from. For example, they could hire in local health and safety organizations, like truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are normally local vocational and trade schools that will be happy to provide several great resources.
The internet is full of websites committed to the safety of lift trucks. There are also private companies who provide forklift safety training services, such as videos and written programs. Most safety videos can either be leased or rented or purchased. One essential thing to think about is that simply by showing your employees a video or a series of videos about lift truck safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Succeeding training and knowledge of the new drivers should be conveyed and assessed by a particular way so as to ensure the full training has been acquired.
Once the driver has successfully passed all of the required training, a forklift license will be given and they will legally be able to drive a lift truck. Valid forklift licenses are a requirement by organizations so as to keep everybody at the workplace very safe.