Lift trucks are really dangerous machines. Statistics by OSHA show that roughly 100 warehouse employees are killed each year in forklift mishaps while they are operating them. 95,000 more workers are hurt on the job on an annual basis as well, using these heavy pieces of industrial machines.
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 forklift itself and last of all, getting hit from falling items because of a dropped load is the last statistic. Every fatality or injury is quite awful and frightening because of the ability and immense weight of these equipment.
Who Must Perform the Training?
All evaluation and training has to be trained by people who have the correct education, knowledge and experience to teach powered industrial truck drivers the correct skills and then to evaluate their competence after that. Some examples of a qualified trainer consist of a person who has a certificate, professional standing or specialized degree in their possession, or someone who has extensive training, knowledge and experience utilizing forklifts. A good candidate has lots of experience and has shown the capability to train and evaluate industrial truck operators.
If the employer does not wish to perform the training himself, there are many resources accessible for them to choose from. Like for example, they could hire in local health and safety organizations, including truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are normally local trade and vocational schools that would be very glad to provide some great resources.
There are numerous sites on the Internet that are dedicated to forklift safety. Private companies could be found on-line that provide forklift safety training services, like videos and written programs. Most safety videos can either be leased or rented or purchased. One really important thing to consider is that simply by showing your workers a series of videos or a video about forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Succeeding training and knowledge of the new operators needs to be conveyed and evaluated by a specific way in order to make sure that the complete training has been acquired.
When the driver has successfully passed all of the necessary training, a lift truck certificate would be issued and they will legally be able to operate a lift truck. Valid lift truck licenses are a requirement by organizations so as to keep everybody at the workplace as safe as possible.