Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators using a counterbalanced forklift to have received classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a supervised driving program is completed in addition to periodic refresher training. There is no minimum time requirement for the supervised driving or classroom training. Also, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalanced forklift's weight is used to balance its cargo utilizing its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but can be raised and lowered to secure and move loads. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that individuals who would be utilizing counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they will be using them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training offers information regarding the truck that the operator will be driving. This training covers aspects like weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine along with any lift truck specific safety information including where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The operator of a forklift would have to learn to drive the machine while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment that resembles the current environment which the driver works in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she would be traveling on, have similar pedestrian and vehicle traffic nearby, and the same surrounding structures nearby also. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.