According to the lift truck rules, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. To be able to deal with particular workplace hazards and specific workplace machines, training has to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need 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 vital that extra training should be offered.
Trainees are only allowed to utilize forklifts under direct supervision of only individuals who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment within the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification has to include the name of the operator, the training date, and the name of the person performing the training and assessment and lastly the date of evaluation. Though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Refresher training is vital to be completed every 3 years. It is also required any time an operator demonstrates some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. For example, refresher training will be triggered by some instances including: if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is a near miss or an accident, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It has to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe operation is noticed. Like for example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules deliberately, it can be required to implement disciplinary action. And finally, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians in order to ensure everybody stays safe.