Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators using a counterbalanced lift truck to have received classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a supervised driving course is completed along with periodic refresher training. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. Also, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its cargo using the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not turn. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who will be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the kind of setting that they will be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style will offer lift truck and driver information for the truck you will be using. Most training will cover certain aspects such as the 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 for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The lift truck operator needs to learn how to operate the counterbalanced lift truck while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in a place which reflects the environment the driver would be driving in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she would be traveling on, have the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby, and similar surrounding structures close by too. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.