Lift trucks are very dangerous machines. Data by OSHA prove that approximately 100 warehouse workers are killed every year in forklift accidents while they are utilizing them. 95,000 more employees are hurt on the job on an annual basis as well, using these heavy pieces of industrial equipment.
Unfortunately, most of the fatalities are because of forklift turnovers. The next highest percentage of fatalities is due to being crushed between a lift truck and another surface. The third highest cause of death is being struck by the lift truck itself and lastly, getting hit from falling things because of a dropped load is the last statistic. Every death or injury is quite frightening and awful because of the immense weight and ability of these machinery.
Who Should Perform the Training?
All training and assessment for forklift operation needs to be taught by correctly trained instructors. These trainers should have the knowledge and experience to train potential operators the required skills to assess their competency afterwards. Some examples of a qualified trainer include an individual who has a certificate, specialized degree or professional standing in their possession, or somebody who has extensive training, experience and knowledge utilizing forklifts. A good candidate has a lot of experience and has shown the capability to assess and teach industrial truck operators.
If the employer does not want to perform the training himself, there are many resources available for them to choose from. For instance, they could employ in local health and safety organizations, like for example the National Safety Council local chapters, truck manufacturers, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are normally local vocational and trade schools that will be very happy to provide some great resources.
There are many websites on the Internet which are committed to lift truck safety. Private companies can be found online who provide forklift safety training services, such as videos and written programs. The majority of safety videos could either be rented or leased or purchased. One really vital factor to take into account is that simply by showing your employees a series of videos or a video on lift truck safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Succeeding training and skill of the new operators has to be conveyed and evaluated by a particular method in order to make sure that the full training has been acquired.
When the driver has successfully passed all of the necessary training, a forklift license will be given and they will legally be able to drive a lift truck. Valid forklift certificates are a requirement by organizations so as to keep everybody at the workplace really safe.