Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody utilizing a counterbalanced forklift receive classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training along with a supervised driving program is completed. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. What's more, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is used to balance its load utilizing its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but can be raised and lowered to secure and move cargo. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that people who would be utilizing counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training offers information regarding the truck which the operator would be driving. This training covers aspects such as weight and load capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any lift truck specific safety information including where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The driver of a forklift would have to learn to utilize the machine while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the present environment which the driver works in. This atmosphere should include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by, and similar surrounding structures nearby too. There is no specific minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.