Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
The powered industrial truck or forklift is a heavy duty equipment found in practically every factory and warehouse. These tough and reliable machines could lift and move heavy things which are not able to raise by hand. There is some particular training complete so as to be able to safely use a forklift. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it can be dangerous if not handled correctly, thus, the skills of the operator are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator has to have good judgment in order to estimate how much a load weighs. They have to be able to judge the width and height of the load so as to ensure that it would fit in a designed area. It is important to have good judgement to be able to move the lift truck around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to capably drive the machinery in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Driver skills that come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for instance, if a stack of things in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the driver must be able to respond quickly and try to rectify the problem. To be able to prevent accidents, a high level of concentration is needed when using and working in the vicinity of these machinery.
Adaptability
Depending upon the task, among the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work surroundings. Depending upon every task, this could change on a continuous basis. Some forklift jobs require operators to be exposed to dangerous equipment, damaging materials, fumes, odors or loud noises. Warehouses and work atmosphere can be really busy places. The operator of the forklift must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. Moreover, a lot of forklift tasks require being outdoors to unload supplies or move items; thus, the driver should be prepared at the likelihood of working in poor weather.
Machinery Maintenance
Forklift operators need to understand how heavy mobile equipment works and have to be able and willing to follow directions. Drivers have to learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to ensure that the horn, the lights, the steering, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are working at an optimal level.
The driver of the forklift must also be able to properly maintain the forklift and have to know when something is not functioning properly. An essential part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about equipment issues.