Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their tasks will consist of the lifting and moving of materials and goods from one area to another. They have to be trained to safely use the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift operators carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Forklift driver training must include the correct performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken each year.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to unloading and loading materials in a timely and safe manner. This job also involves the stacking of supplies in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the materials that are to be moved could be part of the lift truck operator's responsibilities.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They should make sure orders are correct and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers should have good skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers need to be very concerned with the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator should determine the route which is the safest. A driver's training would include learning about the forces which might cause a forklift to tip over. The driver must be really familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit which they are using. A forklift driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to happen when a driver is tired.