Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators using a counterbalanced lift truck to have received classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving course is finished. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. Additionally, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its cargo using the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not turn. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that individuals who will be utilizing counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the environment which they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom would offer forklift and driver information for the truck you will be operating. Most training would cover several aspects such as the weight and load capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the lift truck. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine in addition to any lift truck specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The driver of a lift truck will need to learn to drive the equipment while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in an environment which resembles the existing environment which the operator works in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same pedestrian and vehicle traffic close by, and the same surrounding structures close by as well. There is no specific minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.