Counterbalance lift truck Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA require that anyone utilizing a counterbalanced forklift be given lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training along with a supervised driving course is completed. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. Furthermore, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is utilized to balance its cargo using its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but can be lowered and raised to secure and move loads. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. OSHA require that drivers who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training provides information regarding the truck that the operator would be utilizing. This training covers aspects like weight and load capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the lift truck. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The operator of a lift truck would have to learn to operate the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the present environment that the driver works in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she would be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures nearby, and the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by also. There is no specific minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.