Employers are not required to repeat past training of a new operator based on lift truck regulations. Training nonetheless has to be supplemented so as to address certain workplace risks and particular workplace equipment. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to maneuver a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not have a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is really assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is essential that extra training must be offered.
Trainees are just allowed to operate lift trucks under direct supervision of only those who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees competence on the lift truck. The trainees could only learn in an environment where such operation does not endanger the trainee themselves or other workers.
Making a practical evaluation in the workplace is also vital. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training happen at the workplace, utilizing lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
Once an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification should include the training date, the operator name, and the name of the individual performing the training and evaluation and finally the assessment date. Even though some state OSHA bodies require the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is vital to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator shows some type of deficiency in safe lift truck use. Like for example, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like for example: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different kind of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, 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. Like for instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules deliberately, it may be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts in order to make certain that everyone would be safe.