Training Operators
Forklift Operator Training
Forklift operator training must be conducted by a competent person.
As a certified Competent Person, your employer must verify you are qualified and give you authority to conduct training for forklift operators using the following guidelines:
The purpose of forklift training is to ensure all forklift operators are competently trained as per OSHA 1910.178 standards, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
The training should combine formal instruction, practical exercises, and workplace performance evaluation to ensure operators have adequate knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to safely operate forklifts.
Training Content
Truck-related topics should include operating instructions, controls, vehicle stability, refueling, maintenance, etc.
Workplace-related topics should include surface conditions, load composition, pedestrian traffic, narrow aisles, ramps, environmental hazards.
Refresher Training and Evaluation
The employer must provide refresher training when unsafe operation is observed, after accidents, or when changes in workplace conditions occur. Forklift operator performance evaluations should be conducted at least every three years.
Certification
The competent person should formally document (in writing) the operator's training, test results, and competent person evaluation of the operator's knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in the learning environment.
The employer should also certify operator qualifications based on a competent person evaluation of performance after training in the work environment.
Safe operation.
- 1910.178(l) Training
- 1910.178(l)(1)
- (i) The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).
- (ii) Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).
- 1910.178(l)(2) Training program implementation.
- (i) Trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only:
- (A) Under the direct supervision of persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence; and
- (B) Where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees.
- (ii) Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.
- (iii) All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.
- 1910.178(l)(3) Training program content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace.
- (i) Truck-related topics:
- (A) Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate;
- (B) Differences between the truck and the automobile;
- (C) Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work;
- (D) Engine or motor operation;
- (E) Steering and maneuvering;
- (F) Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);
- (G) Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations;
- (H) Vehicle capacity;
- (I) Vehicle stability;
- (J) Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform;
- (K) Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries;
- (L) Operating limitations;
- (M) Any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate.
- (ii) Workplace-related topics:
- (A) Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated;
- (B) Composition of loads to be carried and load stability;
- (C)Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking;
- (D) Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated;
- (E) Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated;
- (F) Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated;
- (G) Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability;
- (H) Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust;
- (I) Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation.
- (iii) The requirements of this section.
- 1910.178(l)(4) Refresher training and evaluation.
- (i) Refresher training, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of that training, shall be conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure that the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered industrial truck safely.
- (ii) Refresher training in relevant topics shall be provided to the operator when:
- (A) The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner;
- (B) The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident;
- (C) The operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely;
- (D) The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck; or
- (E) A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck.
- (iii) An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.
- 1910.178(l)(5) Avoidance of duplicative training. If an operator has previously received training in a topic specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this section, and such training is appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered, additional training in that topic is not required if the operator has been evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely.
- 1910.178(l)(6) Certification. The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.
- 1910.178(l)(7) Dates. The employer shall ensure that operators of powered industrial trucks are trained, as appropriate, by the dates shown in the following table.
- 1910.178(l)(8) Appendix A to this section provides non-mandatory guidance to assist employers in implementing this paragraph (l). This appendix does not add to, alter, or reduce the requirements of this section.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-1. Who is responsible to verify employees are qualified to perform forklift training?
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