According to the lift truck regulations, an employer is not required to replicate previous training of a new operator. To be able to deal with certain workplace hazards and specific workplace equipment, training needs to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to navigate a forklift on a ramp if that work place does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be offered.
Trainees are only allowed to use lift trucks under direct supervision of just those who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees skill on the lift truck. The trainees can only learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical assessment in the workplace is also necessary. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training occur at the workplace, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified when they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification must include the name of the operator, the training date, and the name of the individual performing the assessment and training and lastly the date of evaluation. Though certain state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. Like for instance, refresher training will be triggered by some occurrences like: if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe operation of a forklift is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. Like for instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules deliberately, it might be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts so as to ensure everybody stays safe.