Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities would include the lifting and moving of supplies and goods from one place to another. They must be trained to safely utilized the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
HRSDC and OSHA both require forklift drivers to perform daily and pre-shift inspections. Lift truck operator training must consist of the proper performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on an annual basis.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading supplies in a timely and safe method. This responsibility also involves the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a lift truck operator could include weighing the supplies which are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They have to make certain orders are accurate and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers should have good skills in both attention and awareness. Operators have to be very concerned with the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to handle challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver must determine the route that is the safest. A driver's training would involve learning about the elements which could cause a forklift to tip over. The driver must be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit which they are utilizing. A lift truck operator has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents associated to forklifts are more likely to occur when an operator is tired.