Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody operating a counterbalanced lift truck receive lecture style or classroom training. They also require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving program is completed. There is no minimum time requirement for the supervised driving or classroom training. Furthermore, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalanced forklift's weight is utilized to balance its load using its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but can be raised and lowered to secure and move cargo. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that individuals who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the kind of setting which they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style would provide forklift and driver information for the truck you will be driving. Most training will include several aspects such as the load and weight capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the lift truck. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any lift truck specific safety information like 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 will have to learn to operate the machine while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the existing environment which the operator works in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she would be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures nearby, and similar pedestrian and vehicle traffic nearby too. There is no specific minimum number of hours the operator needs to drive while being supervised.