Based on the lift truck regulations, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. To be able to deal with certain workplace risks and specific workplace machinery, training needs to be supplemented. Like for example, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to maneuver a forklift on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is really assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is vital that additional training must be provided.
Trainees are just allowed to operate lift trucks under direct supervision of only those who have the necessary training and knowledge to train and evaluate the trainees competence on the forklift. The trainees can just learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
It is necessary to make a practical evaluation within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be certified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification needs to contain the date of training, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and finally the evaluation date. Though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is required to be completed every 3 years. It is also required any time an operator demonstrates some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck use. Like for instance, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like for example: if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is a near miss or an accident, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe use of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for instance, if an operator is willfully disobeying workplace safety rules, it may be essential to implement disciplinary action. And finally, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians in order to make sure that everybody stays safe.