The lift truck is a dangerous equipment. The most recent statistics have shown that over 100 workers are killed in some type of forklift mishap. An additional 95,000 employees are injured on the job on a yearly basis too, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machinery.
Nearly all fatalities have been because of forklift turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the next highest percentage of fatalities. The next highest cause of death is being struck by the lift truck itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling items because of a dropped load is the last statistic. Each and every injury or death is quite terrible and gruesome because of the immense weight and ability of these machinery.
Who Should Conduct the Training?
All assessment and training has to be trained by people who have the appropriate training, experience and knowledge to teach powered industrial truck operators the correct skills and then to evaluate their competence afterwards. Some examples of a skilled trainer comprise an individual who has a certificate, certified degree or professional status in their possession, or someone who has extensive training, knowledge and experience using forklifts. A good candidate has plenty of practice and has shown the capability to train and assess drivers of industrial trucks.
If the employer does not wish to perform the training himself, there are many resources available for them to choose from. For example, they can employ in local health and safety organizations, like for example truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private teaching consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are normally local trade and vocational schools that will be very happy to offer several great resources.
There are lots of web sites on the Internet that are dedicated to lift truck safety. Private businesses can be found online who provide lift truck safety training services, such as written programs and videos. The majority of safety videos could either be rented or leased or bought. One important thing to think about is that simply by showing your workers a video or a series of videos on forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Succeeding training and skill of the new drivers must be conveyed and assessed by a specific method so as to make sure that the complete training has been acquired.
When the operator has successfully passed all of the necessary training, a lift truck certificate would be issued and they would legally be able to drive a lift truck. Valid lift truck licenses are a requirement by organizations so as to keep everyone at the workplace as safe as possible.