Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machine found in warehouses and in factories. They are utilized to move and transport bulk things which are very heavy to lift or carry by hand. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to safely use a forklift. Nearly all employers prefer a high school degree. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machinery it could be dangerous if not handled properly, therefore, the driver's skills are very important.
Good Judgment
The forklift driver needs to have good judgment to be able to estimate how much a load weighs. They need to be able to judge the width and height of the load so as to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is essential to have good judgement to be able to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Required forklift skills skills include quick reflexes and excellent hand-eye coordination. For example, if a stack of items in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the driver should be able to quickly respond and try to rectify the issue. In order to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when operating and working near these machinery.
Adaptability
Depending upon the job, amongst the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending on every task, this may change on a continuous basis. Some forklift tasks require operators to be exposed to dangerous equipment, harmful materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Warehouses and work surroundings could be really busy places. The lift truck operator must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. Moreover, a lot of forklift tasks require being outdoors to unload supplies or transport items; thus, the driver should be ready at the likelihood of working in bad weather conditions.
Machinery Maintenance
Forklift drivers have to understand how heavy mobile equipment works and need to be able and willing to follow directions. Drivers must learn how to double check an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety checklist and can guarantee that the lights, the steering, the horn, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
The operator of the lift truck must also be able to correctly maintain the forklift and need to know when something is not working properly. An essential part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about equipment issues.