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Most industrial operations require that forklift operators, or powered industrial lift truck operators, be certified by their employer. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) does not provide any type of OSHA certification. The employer insures that a forklift operator can do his job more safely and efficiently by training as required by OSHA. Many industries, companies, and insurance providers require that forklift operators, as well as other construction or general industry workers have OSHA training. This is not only an Industry requirement but a mandatory required by law. Only authorized and trained Forklift Operator can operate a forklift. The operator can be trained on the job by a certified trainer, or attend a course at a trade school. If an operator opts to take an individual online certification course, he?ll still need to be evaluated by a qualified trainer for the hands-on part of the certification process. There are several steps that need to be followed when certifying a forklift operator.
Steps
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1Decide whether you will find a company that can provide an instructor to offer an OSHA-compliant course. An alternative is to consider taking an OSHA Outreach Training Program Course, which will teach you to certify forklift operators yourself.[1]
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2If you decide to certify the operators yourself, complete an authorized OSHA trainer course in either the construction industry or general industry. The courses are one week long, and are given by the OSHA Training Institute and the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers located around the country. Your authorization will allow you to issue certification cards, and is good for two to four years. To renew your authorization, you'll need to take an update course.Advertisement
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3Set up and conduct classroom work for the forklift operators. The classroom part of the training for new operators is 8 hours, and 4 hours for experienced operators.[2] It focuses on specific health and safety concerns the operator needs to be aware of, as well as legislation and penalties related to OSHA regulations.[3]
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4Evaluate the operator's performance on the classroom work by administering the OSHA forklift certification exam.
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5Execute the hands-on training for the forklift operators. The training usually includes navigating through obstacle courses, and demonstrating proper use of the forklift's controls to lift and lower materials, as well as practical knowledge of safety regulations.
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6When a forklift operator completes the classroom test with a passing grade and shows you he is competent in meeting hands-on training requirements, you can certify him as a forklift operator under guidelines after the hands-on training is complete. The hands-on training must consist of a minimum of 8 hours for High lifts and a minimum of 4 hours for low lifts. Upon completion, You'll be able to immediately hand him his certification card, which is good for three years. While it's not mandatory that the operators carry the wallet-sized certification cards on the job, it's highly recommended. Job supervisors will be able to identify who's certified, and insurance company or OSHA officials can monitor the employer's compliance record.
Community Q&A
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QuestionDo you need a valid state issued driver's license to operate a forklift?
Community AnswerNo. Forklift drivers do not need a valid driver's license per OSHA requirements. -
QuestionHow long does the training take to become certified?
Community AnswerIt varies employer-to-employer, typically the training video is just over an hour and then you'll do some basic driving tests to ensure you're competent on the forklift. -
QuestionIf I lost my original certificate, what can I do to get another, or to renew it?Community AnswerThe original employer who gave you the certificate should be able to give you another one; if not, you'll likely have to retake the certification test at your next employer.
Warnings
- OSHA certification should be renewed every three years with a refresher course. An operator who moves to a different piece of forklift equipment, or who has had an accident or a near-miss, or is seen operating a forklift in an unsafe manner, should also take a refresher course.[4]⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/
- ↑ https://californiasafety.org/course.aspx?id=23
- ↑ https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs
- ↑ https://www.osha.gov/dte/library/pit/pit_q-a.html
- https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/fy11_sh-22300-11_ForkliftQuiz.pdf
- https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/poweredindustrialtrucks/
