The lift truck is a dangerous machinery. The most recent statistics have proven that more than 100 employees are killed in some form of lift truck accident. An extra 95,000 employees are hurt on the job on a yearly basis too, using these heavy pieces of industrial equipment.
Nearly all fatalities have been due to lift truck turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the second highest percentage of fatalities. The third highest cause of fatality is being struck by the lift truck itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling things due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Each fatality or injury is quite awful and frightening because of the capability and immense weight of these machines.
Who Must Perform the Training?
All assessment and teaching has to be trained by individuals who have the right training, knowledge and experience to teach powered industrial truck drivers the correct skills and then to evaluate their competence after that. Some examples of a qualified trainer include an individual who has a certificate, professional standing or specialized degree in their possession, or who has extensive training, experience and knowledge utilizing forklifts. A good candidate has plenty of experience and has demonstrated the ability to evaluate and teach operators of industrial trucks.
If the employer does not want to perform the training himself, there are many resources accessible for them to pick from. Like for instance, they can employ in local health and safety organizations, including the National Safety Council local chapters, truck manufacturers, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are often local trade and vocational schools which will be really happy to provide some great resources.
The internet is full of websites dedicated to the safety of forklifts. There are also private businesses that offer forklift safety training services, like written programs and videos. Nearly all safety videos could either be leased or rented or bought. One vital thing to consider is that simply by showing your workers a series of videos or a video about forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and skill of the new drivers has to be conveyed and assessed by a particular method in order to make certain that the complete training has been acquired.
Once operators have passed their training requirements, they will receive a lift truck certificate that permits them to drive a forklift. Valid forklift licenses are a requirement by organizations so as to keep everybody at the workplace really safe.