Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators utilizing a counterbalanced forklift to have received lecture style or classroom training. They also require that a supervised driving course is finished along with periodic refresher training. There is no minimum time requirement for the supervised driving or classroom training. Moreover, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its cargo using the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not turn. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. OSHA require that people who would be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be correctly trained on the trucks while being in the environment which they will be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Classroom training or lecture style training provides information about the truck that the operator would be driving. This training includes aspects such as weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information like for instance where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The operator of a forklift would need to learn to use the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the current environment which the driver works in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by, and the same surrounding structures nearby too. There is no specific minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.