Course Overview

Powered industrial trucks are one of the major causes of accidents on highways and industrial corridors leading to injuries and death of workers. Injuries can occur when forklifts inadvertently offload unsecured heavy items on workers or hit people or other vehicles nearby while moving from one place to another.

The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation.

This is an essential training program for personnel who inspect and operate industrial and/or rough-terrain forklifts. Participants will learn OSHA and ANSI inspection requirements, how to properly document inspections, and safe operating procedures.

Training shall consist of a combination of:

• Formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, video tape, written material),
• Practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee)
• Evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

Objectives

The aim of the Forklift Truck Operators course is to ensure that each candidate is provided with sufficient knowledge and skills in order that they can operate the Forklift in a safe and competent manner and comply with the legal regulations.

Who Would Benefit

• Forklift operators
• Warehouse/shipping/receiving Employees
• Safety managers
• Safety Team

Topics

• Types of forklifts, components & terminology
• Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate
• Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work
• Engine or motor operation
• Steering and maneuvering
• Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);
• Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations
• Vehicle capacity
• Vehicle stability
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform
• Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries
• Operating limitations
• Causes & results of forklift accidents
• Inspector’s role in reducing forklift accidents & liability exposure
• Setting up a forklift inspection program
• Inspection requirements
• The three levels of inspection
• Forklift inspection procedures and techniques
• Recognizing and understanding the differences between deficiencies & safety hazards
• Correct way to write inspection reports that provide the proper documentation
• Inspecting structural components, hooks, operating mechanisms, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems, hydraulic cylinders, wire rope, operational aids, and safety devices
• Structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and safety/liability areas of inspection
• Pre-operational inspection
• Forklift setup and recognizing site hazards
• Safe operating practices & procedures
• Operator responsibilities
• Working near power lines and electrical hazards
• Operator's manual for the types of vehicles that the employee is being trained to operate.
• Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated
• Composition of loads to be carried and load stability
• Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking
• Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated
• Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated
• Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated
• Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability
• Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust
• Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation.
• Hand signals
• Basic rigging procedures

Duration

2 Days

Course Requirements

Ensure the availability of forklift equipment in good working conditions to be used in practical training.

Course Certifications

Attending all sessions and passing exam is mandatory for getting the internal Course Certificate.

There is an option for issuing an international Certificate and wallet cards from the International Association of Safety Professionals (IASP) in the USA.