Rough Terrain Forklift Training
Commonly used on construction sites and on logging and forestry projects, Class VII or rough terrain forklifts is a popular option for a lot of outdoor conditions that require a vehicle to run on uneven ground. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA states that drivers need to receive lecture or classroom style training in addition to supervised driving training. Regular refresher training courses are taken by the drivers in order to keep them in top form.
Classroom or Lecture Training
The first step is taking instruction in a classroom or lecture style. Training consists of the essential information regarding the machine that the driver will be working with. Details like for example lifting capacities and how to refuel the lift truck are discussed. Safety tips are important to understand prior to operation. OSHA does not place a minimum time requirement on classroom training, however, they do state that both oral and written exams can be part of the training process.
Supervised Driving
Supervised driving is the next step in the rough terrain lift truck training, quite like when drivers learn to operate a passenger car. The driver should learn how to drive the specific kind of rough terrain forklift that they would drive in the workplace. Furthermore, they must practice operating this forklift in an environment which closely replicates the situations in which they would be driving. Several of the other conditions covered in training include handling structures nearby, vehicle traffic and pedestrians.
Certification
The supervisor could certify the operator for that workplace after a supervisor determines whether a driver is capable of safely operating a rough terrain lift truck. The certification for the driver could be kept in their personnel file. If the training is to be taken in a 3rd party training facility, the trainer hands the operator the certification. Because work environments vary, the certifications are not transferable; hence, operators need to be re-certified again in the new environment. Typically, training passes more quickly after the driver has been certified the first time.
There are a few really essential safety issues associated with operating a forklift. Operators need to stay alert and able to drive with the utmost attention and care. Practicing good habits can save lives at the end of the day. What's more, much less damage to the goods, the work environment or the equipment itself happens when operators are working at the top of their game.