Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anyone utilizing a counterbalanced forklift receive classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a periodic refresher training as well as a supervised driving course is finished. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. As well, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalanced forklift's weight is used to balance its load using its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but can be lowered and raised to secure and transport loads. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. OSHA require that individuals who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of setting that they will be using them.
Classroom Training
Classroom training or lecture style training offers information regarding the truck that the operator would be driving. This training includes aspects such as weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine in addition to 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 minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The forklift driver needs to learn how to operate the counterbalanced forklift while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an area that reflects the environment the driver would be driving in. This atmosphere should include the kind of terrain she would be traveling on, have the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by, and the same surrounding structures close by as well. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver has to drive while being supervised.