Forklifts are really dangerous machines. Statistics by OSHA prove that roughly 100 warehouse workers are killed each year in forklift accidents while they are using them. 95,000 more workers are hurt on the job each and every year too, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machinery.
Nearly all fatalities have been due to forklift turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the next highest percentage of fatalities. The next highest cause of fatality is being struck by the lift truck itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling objects due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Each and every fatality or injury is quite gruesome and terrible due to the immense weight and capability of these machines.
Who Should Conduct the Training?
All assessment and teaching needs to be taught by people who have the proper training, experience and knowledge to train powered industrial truck drivers the right skills and then to evaluate their competence afterwards. Several examples of a qualified trainer include a person who has a certificate, certified degree or professional standing in their possession, or someone who has extensive training, knowledge and experience with lift trucks. A good candidate has plenty of practice and has demonstrated the ability to train and assess industrial truck drivers.
There are resources available to choose from if their employer does not wish to perform the training themselves. Like for example, they could hire in local health and safety organizations, like truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private teaching consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are usually local vocational and trade schools that would be really glad to provide several great resources.
The World Wide Web is full of web sites dedicated to the safety of forklifts. There are also private companies which offer lift truck safety training services, like written programs and videos. Nearly all safety videos could either be rented or leased or purchased. One really essential thing to consider is that simply by showing your workers a series of videos or a video about lift truck safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Succeeding training and skill of the new drivers should be conveyed and evaluated by a particular way in order to make certain that the complete training has been obtained.
When the operator has successfully passed all of the necessary training, a lift truck license would be given and they would legally be able to drive a forklift. Valid forklift licenses are a requirement by organizations in order to keep everyone at the workplace very safe.