Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator according to lift truck regulations. Training nevertheless has to be supplemented so as to deal with certain workplace hazards and particular workplace machines. For instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not have a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is vital that extra training should be offered.
Trainees can use a powered industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the experience, training and knowledge to train operators and evaluate their skill using the machine. The trainees can only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment in the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be certified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification must contain the date of training, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and lastly the evaluation date. Though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. Like for instance, refresher training will be triggered by certain instances including: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is a near miss or an accident, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It has to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. Like for instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety regulations deliberately, it might be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts so as to ensure everyone stays safe.