Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machine found in factories and in warehouses. They are used to transport and move bulk items which are very heavy to carry or lift by hand. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to operate a forklift safely. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it can be dangerous if not handled properly, therefore, the driver's skills are extremely important.
Good Judgment
The forklift driver has to have good judgment in order to estimate how much a load weighs. They have to be able to judge the height and width of the load so as to ensure that it would fit in a designed area. It is really vital to have good judgement to be able to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to capably drive the machinery in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Driver skills that come in handy are quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. Like for instance, if a stack of objects in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the operator must be able to quickly respond and try to rectify the issue. In order to prevent accidents, a high level of concentration is required when operating and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Amongst the top skills of a lift truck driver is that they have to be adaptable to the work setting. This can be continually changing depending on the task. Some forklift jobs need drivers to be exposed to dangerous machines, damaging materials, loud noises, fumes or odors. Work atmospheres and warehouses can be really busy places. The driver of the forklift must be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. Additionally, many forklift tasks require being outdoors to transport things or unload merchandise; thus, the driver needs to be prepared at the possibility of working in poor weather.
Machine Maintenance
Forklift drivers have to understand how heavy mobile machinery works and need to be able and willing to follow instructions. Operators must learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to guarantee that the horn, the lights, the steering, the brakes and the forks, along with other components are working at an optimal level.
The driver of the lift truck should also be able to correctly maintain the forklift and have to know when something is not functioning correctly. An essential part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about equipment problems.