According to the forklift rules, an employer is not required to replicate past training of a new operator. In order to address certain workplace hazards and specific workplace machines, training needs to be supplemented. For example, an operator doesn't have to be trained to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; nonetheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to utilize forklifts under direct supervision of only individuals who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and evaluate the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees can only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is necessary to make a practical assessment within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
When an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification needs to contain the training date, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the training and evaluation and lastly the date of evaluation. Even if some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is necessary to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator demonstrates some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck use. Like for instance, refresher training will be triggered by certain instances like: if a different kind of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe use of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it could be required to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians so as to make certain that everybody stays safe.