The forklift is a dangerous equipment. The newest statistics have shown that over 100 employees are killed in some type of forklift accident. An extra 95,000 employees are injured on the job on an annual basis as well, utilizing these heavy pieces of industrial machines.
Most fatalities have been because of lift truck turnovers. Being crushed between the forklift and another surface is the next highest percentage of fatalities. The third highest cause of death is being struck by the forklift itself and last of all, getting hit from falling items because of a dropped load is the last statistic. Each and every injury or fatality is quite awful and gruesome because of the immense weight and capability of these machinery.
Who Should Conduct the Training?
All evaluation and training needs to be trained by people who have the correct training, knowledge and experience to teach powered industrial truck operators the correct skills and then to evaluate their competence afterwards. Several examples of a qualified trainer comprise an individual who has a license, certified degree or professional standing in their possession, or who has extensive training, experience and knowledge utilizing forklifts. A good candidate has lots of practice and has demonstrated the capability to train and assess industrial truck drivers.
If the employer does not wish to perform the training himself, there are many resources available for them to select from. Like for example, 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 will be very happy to provide several great resources.
There are a lot of websites on the Internet that are devoted to lift truck safety. Private companies could be found on line that offer lift truck safety training services, such as videos and written programs. Most safety videos can either be leased or rented or bought. One essential thing to think about is that simply by showing your employees a video or a series of videos on forklift safety, does not meet the full requirements of the OSHA standard. Subsequent training and knowledge of the new operators has to be conveyed and assessed by a specific way in order to ensure the complete training has been acquired.
When operators have passed their training requirements, they will receive a forklift certificate which enables them to drive a forklift. Valid forklift licenses are a requirement by organizations to be able to keep everybody at the workplace really safe.