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