Based on the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. In order to deal with certain workplace hazards and specific workplace machinery, training needs to be supplemented. Like for example, an operator doesn't need to be trained in order to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training needs to be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to operate forklifts under direct supervision of just those who have the necessary training and knowledge to train and assess the trainees skill on the lift truck. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other workers or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment in the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification must include the training date, the name of the operator, and the name of the person performing the training and evaluation and finally the assessment date. Even if certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. Like for instance, refresher training would be triggered by certain instances like: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different type of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a lift truck is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for instance, if an operator is willfully disobeying workplace safety rules, it could be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts in order to ensure everybody will be safe.