Counterbalance Forklift Training
Based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, anybody who uses a counterbalanced forklift should have training. Training for these kinds of industrial equipment comprises both classroom training and hands-on driver training. Refresher training is required periodically to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not indicate a minimum time requirement for either the hands-on or classroom training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance lift truck could balance its cargo due to a counterbalance built into the truck. Blades could move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The tines do not rotate. Operators who use counterbalanced lift trucks must receive training about the specific lift trucks they would be utilizing and in the same workplace environment.
Classroom Training
The lift truck operator will be taught the basics of the model of forklift they would be utilizing in classroom training. They would learn info about the forklifts specific things such as weight, load and height capacity. The driver would be taught the basics of charging or fueling the lift truck, that depends on whether the engine is battery-powered or gas-powered. Safety measures regarding the particular lift truck, like how to safely walk around the forklift, would be included.
Supervised Driving
Supervised driver training will make certain that the forklift driver knows how to drive the counterbalanced forklift. This practical training would occur in the same kind of environment wherein the operator would be working. The operator will train with the same kinds of surrounding buildings and other structures on the same kind of terrain, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Refresher Training
Counterbalance lift truck operators are required by OSHA to take a periodic refresher training course. Nevertheless, there are no specifications as to the frequency at which a driver requires this training. However, for regular operators, refresher training must comprise classroom-style training.