The lift truck is a dangerous machine. The most recent statistics have shown that more than 100 workers are killed in some kind of forklift mishap. 95,000 more employees are hurt on the job each and every year as well, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial equipment.
Unfortunately, nearly all of the fatalities are because of forklift turnovers. The next highest percentage of fatalities is due to being crushed between a forklift and another surface. The next highest cause of fatality is being struck by the lift truck itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling objects due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Each injury or fatality is quite awful and gruesome because of the immense weight and ability of these machines.
Who Should Perform the Training?
All evaluation and training has to be trained by individuals who have the correct education, experience and knowledge to teach powered industrial truck drivers the correct skills and then to assess their competency afterwards. Some examples of a skilled trainer include an individual who has a certificate, professional standing or specialized degree in their possession, or somebody who has extensive training, knowledge and experience using lift trucks. A good candidate has lots of practice and has shown the ability to teach and evaluate drivers of industrial trucks.
There are resources accessible to select from if their employer does not wish to perform the training themselves. Like for instance, they can hire in local health and safety organizations, including truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private teaching consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are often local vocational and trade schools that would be glad to offer several great resources.
The internet is full of web sites devoted to the safety of forklifts. There are also private businesses which offer forklift safety training services, like videos and written programs. Most safety videos can either be rented or leased or bought. One important factor to take into account is that simply by showing your workers a video or a series of videos on lift truck safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and knowledge of the new operators has to be conveyed and assessed by a specific method so as to make certain that the full training has been acquired.
Once operators have passed their training requirements, they will receive a lift truck certificate which enables them to operate a forklift. Valid lift truck licenses are a requirement by organizations to be able to keep everyone at the workplace really safe.