Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for lift truck operators to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their tasks would comprise the lifting and transporting of materials and loads from one area to another. They should be trained to operate the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck operators perform a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Lift truck operator training should include the correct performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken every year.
Unloading and Loading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of unloading and loading materials in a safe and timely manner. This job also includes the organized stacking of goods so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the supplies which are to be moved could be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They must make sure orders are accurate and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift operator should have excellent skills in awareness and attention to safety. Drivers should exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The operator should find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The driver would have to determine the safest route to take. A driver's training will include learning about the elements that could cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator must be really familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit which they are using. A forklift operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Forklift mishaps are more likely to occur when an operator is tired.