Employers are not required to repeat previous training of a new operator based on lift truck regulations. Training nevertheless has to be supplemented in order to deal with particular workplace hazards and specific workplace machinery. Like for instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is vital that extra training must be offered.
Trainees could use a motorized industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the experience, training and knowledge to train operators and evaluate their skill utilizing the equipment. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger other workers or the trainee themselves.
It is vital to make a practical assessment within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the workplace, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be certified. The certification should include the training date, the name of the operator, and the name of the person performing the training and evaluation and finally the evaluation date. Even though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is required. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some type of deficiency in safe lift truck use. Like for example, refresher training will be triggered by certain instances like: if there is a near miss or an accident, if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe use is noticed. Like for instance, if an operator is deliberately disobeying workplace safety regulations, it can be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice forklift awareness training for other employees working near forklifts and pedestrians so as to make certain that everyone will be safe.