Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody using a counterbalanced forklift receive classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a supervised driving course is completed as well as periodic refresher training. There is no required minimum time for the classroom training or supervised driving. In addition, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is used to balance its cargo utilizing its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but can be raised and lowered to secure and transport loads. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. OSHA require that people who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment that they will be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Lecture style training or classroom training offers information about the truck which the operator would be driving. This training includes aspects like weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine along with any forklift specific safety information like for example where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The driver of a lift truck would need to learn to utilize the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment that resembles the present environment which the driver works in. This atmosphere should include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures close by, and similar pedestrian and vehicle traffic close by too. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.