Lift trucks are extremely dangerous machines. Data by OSHA prove that roughly 100 warehouse employees are killed every year in lift truck mishaps while they are using them. An additional 95,000 workers are hurt on the job on a yearly basis too, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machines.
Most fatalities have been because of lift truck turnovers. Being crushed between the lift truck and another surface is the next highest percentage of fatalities. The third highest cause of death is being struck by the forklift itself and last of all, getting hit from falling items due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Each and every injury or fatality is quite frightening and terrible due to the ability and immense weight of these equipment.
Who Must Conduct the Training?
All assessment and training needs to be taught by people who have the correct training, knowledge and experience to teach powered industrial truck operators the correct skills and then to assess their competency afterwards. Some examples of a qualified trainer consist of an individual who has a certificate, professional standing or specialized degree in their possession, or who has extensive training, experience and knowledge using forklifts. A good candidate has plenty of practice and has shown the ability to teach and evaluate industrial truck drivers.
There are resources accessible to select from if their employer does not want to perform the training themselves. For instance, they could employ in local health and safety organizations, like the National Safety Council local chapters, truck manufacturers, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are usually local vocational and trade schools which would be really happy to offer several great resources.
There are numerous web sites on the Internet who are devoted to forklift safety. Private businesses could be found on line who provide forklift safety training services, like written programs and videos. Nearly all safety videos can either be rented or leased or purchased. One important thing to consider is that simply by showing your workers a series of videos or a video on forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and skill of the new drivers needs to be conveyed and assessed by a particular method in order to ensure the complete training has been obtained.
Once drivers have passed their training requirements, they will be given a forklift license which permits them to drive a forklift. Valid forklift licenses are a requirement by organizations in order to keep everybody at the workplace very safe.