Employers are not required to repeat previous training of a new operator based on lift truck regulations. Training however has to be supplemented in order to deal with certain workplace risks and particular workplace machinery. Like for example, an operator doesn't have to be trained to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is necessary that extra training has to be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to utilize lift trucks under direct supervision of just those who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees can just learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical evaluation in the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be certified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should contain the date of training, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and finally the date of assessment. Even though certain state OSHA bodies require 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 demonstrated some type of deficiency in safe lift truck operation. Like for instance, refresher training would 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 a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a lift truck is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. 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 lift truck awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working near forklifts so as to ensure everybody stays safe.