Rough Terrain Lift Truck Training
Class VII or rough terrain forklifts are usually used in logging and forestry projects and are common on construction sites. They are the popular option for outdoor conditions that rely on a machinery to run on uneven ground. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA states that drivers should receive lecture or classroom style training as well as supervised driving training. Regular refresher training programs should be taken by the operators in order to keep them in top form.
Classroom or Lecture Training
The initial step is taking instruction in a classroom or lecture style. Training includes the essential information regarding the machine that the operator would be working with. Details such as lifting capacities and how to refuel the lift truck are discussed. Safety tips are really vital to understand before operation. OSHA does not place a minimum time requirement on classroom training, however, they do state that both written and oral exams can be part of the training process.
Supervised Driving
The next step in rough terrain forklift training involves supervised driving, similar to when somebody learns to drive a passenger automobile. The driver must learn how to drive the specific kind of rough terrain forklift which they would operate in the workplace. Additionally, they should practice operating this kind of forklift in an environment which closely replicates the situations in which they would be driving. Several of the other conditions covered in training comprise dealing with structures nearby, vehicle traffic and pedestrians.
Certification
After a supervisor determines that a driver is capable of safely operating a rough terrain lift truck, the supervisor could certify the driver for that workplace. The operator's certification is kept in the operator's personnel file. If the training is to be taken in a 3rd party training facility, the trainer hands the driver the certification. As work environments vary, the certifications are not transferable; thus, drivers need to be re-certified again in the new environment. Normally, training passes faster after the operator has been certified the first time.
There are some very essential safety issues associated with driving a forklift. Operators have to stay alert and able to drive with the utmost attention and care. Practicing good habits could really save lives at the end of the day. Additionally, much less damage to the machinery itself, the goods or the work environment happens when operators are working at the top of their game.