Forklifts are really dangerous piece of machinery. Statistics by OSHA show that about 100 warehouse employees are killed every year in forklift accidents while they are operating them. An extra 95,000 employees are injured on the job each and every year as well, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machinery.
Nearly all fatalities have been due to forklift turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the second highest percentage of fatalities. The third highest cause of death is being struck by the forklift itself and last but not least, getting hit from falling objects due to a dropped load is the last statistic. Each injury or fatality is quite terrible and gruesome due to the immense weight and capability of these machinery.
Who Should Perform the Training?
All evaluation and training needs to be trained by people who have the proper training, knowledge and experience to teach powered industrial truck drivers the correct skills and then to assess their competency afterwards. Several examples of a qualified trainer include an individual who has a certificate, professional standing or specialized degree in their possession, or who has extensive training, knowledge and experience using lift trucks. A good candidate has plenty of practice and has demonstrated the capability to teach and evaluate drivers of industrial trucks.
If the employer does not want to perform the training himself, there are many resources accessible for them to choose from. Like for instance, they could hire in local health and safety organizations, like for example truck manufacturers, the National Safety Council local chapters, or private training consultants who specialize in powered industrial trucks. There are often local vocational and trade schools that would be really glad to offer several great resources.
The internet is full of web sites dedicated to the safety of forklifts. There are also private businesses which provide forklift safety training services, such as written programs and videos. Nearly all safety videos could either be bought or leased or rented. One vital thing to consider is that simply by showing your employees a series of videos or a video on lift truck safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Succeeding training and skill of the new operators needs to be conveyed and assessed by a specific way so as to ensure the complete training has been obtained.
Once operators have passed their training requirements, they will receive a forklift certificate that enables them to operate a forklift. Valid forklift licenses are a requirement by organizations to be able to keep everybody at the workplace really safe.