Rough Terrain Forklift Training
Usually used on construction sites and on logging and forestry projects, Rough terrain or Class VII forklifts is a popular choice for lots of outdoor settings which require a machinery to run on uneven ground. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA states that operators should receive lecture or classroom style training together with supervised driving training. Regular refresher training courses are taken by the operators so as to keep them in top form.
Lecture or Classroom Training
The initial step is taking instruction in a classroom or lecture style. Training consists of the essential information about the equipment which the driver would be working with. Details such as how to refuel the forklift and lifting capacities are talked about. Safety tips are vital to understand prior to operation. OSHA does not place a minimum time requirement on classroom training, however, they do state that oral and written exams can be part of the training process.
Supervised Driving
Supervised driving is the next step in the rough terrain forklift training, quite like when drivers learn to operate a passenger car. The operator must learn how to drive the specific type of rough terrain forklift which they would drive in the workplace. Moreover, they have to practice operating this type of forklift in an environment which closely replicates the situations in which they would be driving. Some of the other situations covered in training include handling vehicle traffic, pedestrians and nearby structures.
Certification
After a supervisor determines that an operator is capable of safely operating a rough terrain lift truck, the supervisor may certify the driver for that workplace. The operator's certification is kept in the personnel file of the operator. 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, drivers must be re-certified again in the new environment. Typically, training passes faster after the operator has been certified the first time.
There are a few really essential safety issues associated with driving 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 products, the work environment or the equipment itself occurs when operators are working at the top of their game.