9 replies to this topic

[MDaleDDF]

What do you guys do for forklift training?    Is the person on your staff that certs employees certified in any way?

[olenazh]

We use external party to train our guys (lecture and written test, usually takes several hours). Every 3 years.

[seanpaulrader]

We had the company that we buy/lease our forklifts and other power equipment from perform an onsite "Train the Trainer" course for us, so that certain people within the org are authorized to be trainers. Then, we modified their training a bit to suit our needs better and our Director of Training teaches the Train the Trainer courses. We'll have 2-4 people per location that are authorized to train on power equipment at that location.

 

So, there isn't really an "official" certification per se, but an internal training course that authorizes someone to train others.

[Setanta]

We had the company that we buy/lease our forklifts and other power equipment from perform an onsite "Train the Trainer" course for us, so that certain people within the org are authorized to be trainers. Then, we modified their training a bit to suit our needs better and our Director of Training teaches the Train the Trainer courses. We'll have 2-4 people per location that are authorized to train on power equipment at that location.
 
So, there isn't really an "official" certification per se, but an internal training course that authorizes someone to train others.

We do something similar to this. Our trainer is re-certified every 4 years and trains all of our employees.

[Miss Frankie]

Our lead driver took a course (years ago) on training drivers. We have all prospective drivers watch a video then take a test.  If they pass, then our lead gives them a driving test. Once they pass that, they are given a certificate, but are still monitored for several months.

We do a similar thing with pallet jacks. They are given a 'driving' test showing they can properly operate the pallet jack before they are allowed to use it independently.  The pallet jack training got kind of lax for a while, until someone ran over their own foot, then training picked up again.

[kfromNE]

We have a video then quiz. They need to pass it. The hands on training is done by the shipping director/director of training. Pallet jack operators also trained the same way. All forklift and pallet operators must re-certify every 3 years. Stickers on the hard hats indicate if you are trained. So anyone using a pallet jack must have a sticker on their hard hat indicating it. This is how we cut down on people that weren't trained using pallet jacks.

[MDaleDDF]

Thanks guys.   I just wanted to see if what we're doing is good enough.   I just looked at a death list for MIOSHA and the number of deaths involving a fork truck was surprisingly high.

[seanpaulrader]

One more note I wanted to add: Per OSHA, "Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace." [emphasis mine] Most companies use a video to satisfy that formal instruction requirement. We also use a quiz that goes with the training record (which includes how to lock out each type of equipment), and an evaluation page (attached). Since they only need to be evaluated every 3 years - not retrained - the evaluation page satisfies the 3 year requirement after the initial training.

 

You may also consider posting these rules at the job site. This is a Cal/OSHA requirement and may not be a requirement where you are, but they are good as a reminder.

[Hoosiersmoker]

_{"...every forklift operator be trained on the truck - and workplace topics in 1910.178(I)(3) and evaluated by a qualified trainer per 1910.178(I)(2)(ii) and (iii). Additionally, each operator's performance must be reevaluated at least once every three years per 1910.178(l)(4)(iii)." (my underline). OSHA is good about not telling you how to do it then telling you the way you decided to do it is not good enough.}

[hello.fizz]

In Australia a forklift operator has to have a high risk license, which is only obtained from a registered training authority (2-3 day course). Technically someone without a license can learn to drive under supervision in the workplace, but would not be covered by insurance etc if there was an incident and they did not have this license. It has to be renewed every 5 years by paying a fee online.