According to the forklift rules, an employer is not required to replicate previous training of a new operator. To be able to address particular workplace risks and particular workplace machines, training has to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order 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 someplace that has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to operate forklifts under direct supervision of only those who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and evaluate the trainees competence on the forklift. The trainees can just learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical evaluation in the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification should include the name of the operator, the date of training, and the name of the individual performing the assessment and training and lastly the date of assessment. Though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is necessary. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some type of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. For example, refresher training will be triggered by some occurrences including: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different type of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
When unsafe operation of a lift truck is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for example, if an operator is willfully disobeying workplace safety regulations, it can be required to implement disciplinary action. And finally, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians so as to ensure everybody stays safe.