Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities would consist of the lifting and moving of supplies and loads from one place to another. They should be trained to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift drivers carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Lift truck operator training must include the proper performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken each and every year.
Loading and Unloading
Forklift operators perform tasks related to unloading and loading supplies in a safe and timely manner. This job also includes the organized stacking of materials so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a forklift operator could include weighing the materials which are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They should make certain that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are accurate.
Safety Awareness
Forklift operators must have great skills in both attention and awareness. Drivers need to be very concerned with the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The operator will have to find the safest way to handle difficulties, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver should determine the safest route to take. A driver's training would involve learning about the forces that can cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver must be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are operating. A lift truck operator must be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Mishaps connected to lift trucks are more likely to take place when an operator is exhausted.