Duties of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their tasks would include the lifting and moving of supplies and loads from one place to another. They should be trained to safely use the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift operators carry out a daily pre-shift forklift check. Lift truck driver training must include the correct performance of safety inspections to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken each and every year.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a safe and timely way. This responsibility also involves the stacking of goods in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
The responsibilities of a forklift driver could include weighing the supplies that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They should make sure orders are accurate and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift operator should have excellent skills in attention and awareness to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to handle challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver must determine the safest route to take. A driver's training will include learning about the forces that might cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver needs to be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit which they are operating. A lift truck operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to happen when an operator is exhausted.