Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require drivers utilizing a counterbalanced forklift to have received classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving program is completed. There is no minimum time requirement for the classroom training or supervised driving. In addition, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is used to balance its cargo using its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but can be raised and lowered to secure and transport loads. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who would be utilizing counterbalanced forklifts on the job be correctly trained on the trucks while being in the kind of setting that they will be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training offers information regarding the truck which the operator would be driving. This training includes aspects like load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the forklift. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information like 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 operator of a lift truck will need to learn to use the equipment while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the existing environment which the operator works in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by, and similar surrounding structures close by also. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver has to drive while being supervised.