Based on the lift truck rules, an employer is not required to replicate previous training of a new operator. In order to deal with specific workplace hazards and particular workplace machinery, training needs to be supplemented. Like for instance, an operator doesn't need to be trained in order to navigate a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere that has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training should be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to operate lift trucks under direct supervision of just people who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees competence on the lift truck. The trainees can only learn in an environment where such operation does not endanger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is vital to make a practical assessment in the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is better to have the training occur at the jobsite, using lift trucks at the workplace to be as precise as possible.
When an operator has successfully passed training with records maintained by the employer, they are said to be qualified. The certification must include the date of training, the name of the operator, and the name of the person performing the assessment and training and lastly the date of evaluation. Though 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 necessary. It can also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck use. Like for example, refresher training would be triggered by certain occurrences like: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different type of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe use of a forklift is noticed, it should be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For example, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety rules intentionally, it could be necessary to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for pedestrians and other staff working near forklifts so as to make sure that everybody stays safe.