Counterbalance Forklift Training Courses
Based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, anybody who utilizes a counterbalanced forklift should have training. Training for these types of industrial machines includes both hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is required occasionally to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not specify a required minimum time for either the classroom or hands-on training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance forklift can balance its load because of a counterbalance built into the truck. Tines could move down and up parallel to the truck's body. The blades do not rotate. Operators driving counterbalanced lift trucks must have training on the specific lift trucks they will be driving and in a similar workplace environment.
Classroom Training Courses
The lift truck operator would be taught the basics of the model of lift truck they will be using in classroom training. They will learn info regarding the lift trucks specific things such as height, weight and load capacity. The operator would learn the basics of fueling or charging the forklift, depending on whether it is a battery-powered or gas-powered engine. Safety procedures regarding the particular lift truck, like for instance how to walk safely around the forklift, will be covered.
Supervised Driving
Driver training will be supervised to make certain that the operator will know how to correctly utilize the counterbalance lift. This practical training will take place in the same kind of environment in which the driver would be working. The operator will train on the same type of terrain with the same types of surrounding buildings and other structures, as well as the same vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Refresher Training
Counterbalance forklift drivers are required by OSHA to take a regular refresher training program. However, there are no specifications as to the frequency at which an operator requires this training. Then again, for regular operators, refresher training programs must incorporate classroom-style training.