The forklift is a dangerous machine. The most recent data have shown that more than 100 employees are killed in some type of forklift mishap. An additional 95,000 workers are hurt on the job on a yearly basis as well, using these heavy pieces of industrial machinery.
Most fatalities have been due to lift truck turnovers. Being crushed between the lift truck and another surface is the second highest percentage of fatalities. The next highest cause of death is being struck by the forklift itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling things due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Every injury or death is quite awful and frightening due to the ability and immense weight of these equipment.
Who Must Conduct the Training?
All evaluation and training has to be taught by individuals who have the appropriate education, experience and knowledge to train powered industrial truck operators the correct skills and then to assess their competence afterwards. Some examples of a qualified trainer consist of an individual who has a certificate, professional standing or certified degree in their possession, or who has extensive training, knowledge and experience utilizing forklifts. A good candidate has lots of practice and has shown the capability to teach and assess drivers of industrial trucks.
There are resources available to select from if their employer does not wish to perform the training themselves. For instance, they could hire in local health and safety organizations, like truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private teaching consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are usually local trade and vocational schools that will be happy to provide several great resources.
There are lots of web sites on the World Wide Web that are devoted to forklift safety. Private companies could be found online who offer lift truck safety training services, like videos and written programs. The majority of safety videos could either be rented or leased or purchased. One very essential thing to think about is that simply by showing your workers a video or a series of videos about forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and skill of the new operators has to be conveyed and assessed by a specific method in order to make certain that the full training has been acquired.
When the driver has successfully passed all of the required training, a forklift certificate will be given and they will legally be able to drive a forklift. Valid forklift certificates are a requirement by organizations in order to keep everyone at the workplace as safe as possible.