Duties of a Forklift Operator
Lift truck operators usually are employed in warehouses and factories. Their responsibility is to transport supplies and loads from one place to another. They should be trained to operate the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers should pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Inspections
OSHA and HRSDC both require forklift drivers to carry out daily and pre-shift inspections. Lift truck driver training should consist of the proper performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken each and every year.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck drivers perform tasks related to unloading and loading supplies in a timely and safe manner. This job also includes the organized stacking of goods so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
The responsibilities of a forklift driver can include weighing the materials that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They should make certain that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers should have great skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers have to be highly concerned with the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator will need to determine the route which is the safest. An operator's training will involve learning about the forces that can cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator should be very familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are utilizing. A forklift driver has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Forklift accidents are more likely to take place when an operator is exhausted.