Duties of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for forklift operators to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their tasks will include the lifting and moving of materials and goods from one place to another. They should be trained to safely operate the forklift controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Inspections
OSHA and HRSDC both require lift truck drivers to perform daily and pre-shift checks. Lift truck operator training must comprise the correct performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Unloading and Loading
The forklift operator is tasked with the job of unloading and loading supplies in a safe and timely method. This responsibility also includes the stacking of goods in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The responsibilities of a forklift driver could include weighing the materials that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
The operator of the forklift will be in charge of quality control. They need to make certain orders are accurate and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers must have great skills in both attention and awareness. Drivers need to be highly concerned with the safety of employees and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to deal with difficulties, such as navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator must determine the route that is the safest. A driver's training will involve learning about the elements which might cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver has to be really familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit that they are operating. A forklift operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to happen when an operator is exhausted.