Counterbalance lift truck Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA require that anybody utilizing a counterbalanced lift truck be given lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training along with a supervised driving program is finished. There is no minimum time requirement for the classroom training or supervised driving. Additionally, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its cargo with the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not pivot. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that individuals who would be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the environment which they will be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom would provide lift truck and driver information for the truck you would be using. Most training will include several aspects such as the load and weight capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any lift truck specific safety information like for instance 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 driver of a lift truck would need to learn to utilize the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the existing environment that the operator works in. This atmosphere should include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures close by, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by as well. There is no specific minimum number of hours the driver has to drive while being supervised.