Employers are not required to replicate past training of a new operator based on forklift rules. Training however needs to be supplemented in order to deal with specific workplace hazards and specific workplace machines. For example, an operator doesn't need to be trained to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not contain a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to utilize lift trucks under direct supervision of only people who have the necessary training and knowledge to train and evaluate the trainees competence on the forklift. The trainees could just learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger other workers or the trainee themselves.
Making a practical assessment within the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training happen at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
An operator is said to be certified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification should contain the date of training, the name of the operator, and the name of the individual performing the training and assessment and lastly the date of evaluation. Even though certain state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Refresher training is required to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator demonstrates some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. Like for example, refresher training will be triggered by some occurrences like for instance: if there is a near miss or an accident, if a different kind of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
When unsafe operation of a lift truck is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For instance, if an operator is intentionally disobeying workplace safety rules, it may be essential to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for pedestrians and other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts so as to make sure that everybody stays safe.