Employers are not required to replicate past training of a new operator according to forklift regulations. Training however has to be supplemented so as to deal with certain workplace hazards and particular workplace machinery. For instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained to steer a lift truck on a ramp if that work place does not contain a ramp; nevertheless, if the operator is actually assigned to work someplace which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training must be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to utilize forklifts under direct supervision of only individuals who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and evaluate the trainees skill on the forklift. The trainees can just learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is essential to make a practical assessment within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training happen at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as accurate as possible.
When an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification has to contain the name of the operator, the date of training, and the name of the person performing the evaluation and training and finally the assessment date. Even if some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Every three years, refresher training is essential. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have demonstrated some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck operation. Like for example, refresher training will be triggered by certain occurrences like for example: if a different type of forklift is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe use is noticed. For example, if an operator is willfully disobeying workplace safety rules, it might be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And lastly, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is essential to practice lift truck awareness training for other employees working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians so as to make certain that everyone stays safe.