OSHA Forklift Training Myths

Forklift operator training is vital to ensuring the overall efficiency of operating the heavyweight forklift equipment and tools. Misunderstandings about the forklift training amongst the operators could lead to overtraining of the staff while overspending on their training at the same time. Moreover, it might also lead to a myriad of efficiency issues during the operation of forklift machines. Therefore, while the aspirants wish to achieve the desired forklift operating license, it is important to ensure that there is no misunderstanding during the training.

As per the OSHA Federal Regulations, it is clearly defined that if an aspirant wishes to be OSHA compliant, the entire forklift training must be specific to the given site as well as equipment. The desired forklift training should be provided by the particular employer for the respective forklift applications and specifications. To help you out with effective OSHA forklift training for obtaining the desired forklift operating license, in this post, we aim at busting certain myths and wrong information associated with forklift training.

Here are some:

#1 Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements Powered by OSHA Do Not Apply to Hand-lifts, Battery-powered, or Floor-Operated Equipment

This is quite wrong! The respective standards with respect to the industrial truck operator training apply to all the given classifications or sub-divisions of the OSHA powered industrial trucks. The series of such trucks includes not only the sit-down rider forklifts, but it also tends to include the stand-up lifts, order pickers, tuggers, mobile electric-powered hand-lifts that are controlled by an operator walking alongside the lift, and rough-terrain forklifts. Most of the OSHA inspectors are well-aware of evaluation as well as training requirements that apply to the respective truck operators of the given battery-powered, walk-behind lifts. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid such problems associated with OSHA. This can be achieved by initializing a specific program for the evaluation as well as the training of the respective PIT operators –responsible for running the battery-powered floor-operated hand-lifts.

#2 OSHA Specifies the Employers to Conduct Proper Refresher Training for the PIT (Power Industrial Truck) Operators Every 3 Years

This is yet another false information that most of the employers have with respect to OSHA forklift training. While OSHA standards indeed require the initial training (including both formal class training as well as the practical training) along with the evaluation of the respective PIT (Powered Industrial Truck) operators, the OSHA forklift training also requires the need for additional refresher training as well as evaluations on some of the important topics under specific instances. For instance, when the given operator has been involved in an accident or some near miss, or there are some changes in the workplace or equipment conditions. However, there are several employers out there who believe that OSHA forklift training standards ask them to conduct the refresher training for the PIT operators once every 3 years. This is wherein they might get themselves into real trouble.

When you would have a close look at the OSHA forklift training standards, you will observe that there is no requirement of the refresher training of the operators every 3 years. It only requires the specific evaluation of the respective PIT operators as well as their overall performance –that needs to be conducted every 3 years. The evaluation phase is the one in which the employers tend to literally observe the performance of the PIT operators in the given workplace towards ensuring that the operators are operating the PIT efficiently.

#3 OSHA Forklift Training Standards Ask the PIT Operators to Carry a Proper Driver’s License for Proving Their Authorization of Operating the Lift

This is not true! The standards for the PIT operators with respect to the OSHA forklift training indeed require the employers to provide a certificate that each PIT operators have been trained as well as evaluated effectively. The given standard states that the certification by the employers is expected to contain vital information including the date of forklift training, name of the particular operator, date of the forklift evaluation, identity of the operator, identity of the individual carrying out the training & evaluation, and others. However, there is no requirement of the driver’s license of the particular PIT operator as per the OSHA forklift training standard.

While it is not recommended to discourage the employers from issuing the proper driver’s license to the operators, still it is not mandated by the OSHA forklift training standards. It is recommended to pay attention to the specific requirements that are listed in the OSHA standards. This is because it is necessary for the employers to document the entire details about the given forklift training as well as the evaluation process.

While you must know about some of the common myths associated with OSHA forklift training, it is recommended to ensure the best-ever training of the operators in your organization.

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Created on May 22nd 2019 05:21. Viewed 503 times.

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