Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody using a counterbalanced forklift receive classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training along with a supervised driving program is completed. There is no minimum time requirement for the classroom training or supervised driving. As well, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its load utilizing the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go down and up and do not turn. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. OSHA require that individuals who will be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment that they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training provides information about the truck which the driver will be driving. This training covers aspects such as load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the lift truck. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine along with any forklift specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The operator of a lift truck will have to learn to drive the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in an environment which resembles the current environment which the operator works in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she would be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures close by, and the same pedestrian and vehicle traffic nearby too. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.