Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator according to forklift rules. Training nonetheless has to be supplemented in order to address certain workplace risks and specific workplace machines. For instance, an operator doesn't have to be trained in order to steer 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 vital that additional training must be provided.
Trainees are just allowed to operate lift trucks under direct supervision of only those who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and evaluate the trainees competence on the forklift. The trainees could just learn in a setting where such operation does not put in danger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical assessment within the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen at the jobsite, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
An operator is said to be qualified once they have successfully passed the training with records maintained by the employer. The certification must contain the training date, the operator name, and the name of the individual performing the training and evaluation and finally the assessment date. Even if certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is necessary. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck use. For example, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like for instance: if a different kind of lift truck 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.
It has to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe use is noticed. For example, if an operator is intentionally disobeying workplace safety rules, it may be essential to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working near forklifts in order to make sure that everybody will be safe.