Forklift Operator

Forklift operators are the automobile operators who do all the lifting and moving work, which an individual cannot do. They drive engineering trucks, which are called forklifts. Forklift operator move heavy loads from different sites to industries, factories and warehouses. Forklifts operator spends their time in moving and unloading the stocks of different industries.

They are also used to check out the purchase orders on a daily basis so that they come to know from where the goods need to be moved and where it needs to go. Forklifts come in dissimilar sizes and run by batteries or normal gases to keep fumes low.

No special education is required for a forklift operator, usually the people who are having knowledge of vehicle or diesel is fit for this job. Forklift operator should be having a encouraging approach and a skill like trouble handling and decision-making. They should be well versed of safety policy and regulations and know how to maintain a daily records. Usually forklift operator gets training on the work. Their training includes topics on operation instructions and do’s and don’ts on forklift instruments. The fresher are allowed to reach to a certain stage with in sixty days period by attending some trainings scheduled by some employers.

Forklift operators are very good earners, some companies compensate their operators on a daily basis while on the other side some paid on a monthly basis. They normally earn around $20,000 to $40,000 in a month. They also get some benefits from their employers like life insurance, medical insurance etc.

The operators should be physically good and should know how to handle the difficult situations. You can find the biggest numbers of forklift operator in manufacturing or construction companies. Companies also give training on safety programs to forklift operators it covers training on load-handing, general safety, maintenance of battery and lots more. Some manufacturing companies also provide certificate at the end of the training program. Companies generally look for those fork lifters who will be willing to work in any shift and should have a proven work record on forklift.

Forklift operator helps in moving of heavy products from one place to another so that’s why they are considered as a very important part of these manufacturing and construction companies.

Forklift Certification

The certification of forklift truck operators is really very important now to avoid the number of accidents and death which occurred due to the improper training. The proper training and testing is providing the certificate for the same. According to OSHA (Occupational safety and health administration) it’s an Employer responsibility to train their forklift truck operators and providing certificates to them.

OSHA is not responsible for training and it programs. This liability still lies with the employer and employer gives this opportunity to the person who is having an adequate knowledge and experience to train the forklift operators. It’s an opportunity because an experienced truck operator can become a safety trainer for their companies.

Forklift certification includes the proper training for the operator that ends with the certification. The certification helps both the employer and the employee. The employer distributes these certificates among their employees after the completion of a program.

The certification of the operator totally depends upon the implementation of the programs like, the operators knowledge, his ability to operate the vehicle, security necessities of OSHA etc. This course especially provides the understanding of the safe operation of forklift trucks. It also tells the operator about how to deal in difficult situations and to perform.

The employer should see how their operators are doing and on that basis he should make a program. The certification includes classroom and practical theory; the duration of classroom training is about 4 to 5 hours and practical training totally depends each time an operator shows some deficiency in the operation of a truck.

The employer should keep a written record of their certified employees or operators. The certification must include the name of the worker, date of joining, date of training and remarks. Certification helps in keeping the high morale of the operator as they feel that they have been giving importance in the company and the certificates really enhancing their market value. The employer should update the certification for every three years, according to their operator’s performance and he is also liable to give the training and certification where the operator is lacking.