Based on the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. To be able to deal with particular workplace risks and specific workplace machines, training has to be supplemented. 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; then again, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is necessary that additional training has to be provided.
Trainees are only allowed to use forklifts under direct supervision of just individuals who have the necessary knowledge and training to train and assess the trainees skill on the lift truck. The trainees could only learn in a setting where such operation does not endanger the trainee themselves or other workers.
It is essential 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 workplace, utilizing 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 certified. The certification should contain the operator name, the training date, and the name of the individual performing the assessment and training and finally the date of assessment. Even though certain state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not need it.
Every three years, refresher training is required. It could also become mandatory to those operators who have shown some kind of inadequacy in safe lift truck operation. For example, refresher training would be triggered by some occurrences like for example: if a different type of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if there is an accident or a near miss, if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation and if a supervisor observes operating unsafely.
It needs to be noted that refresher training is not always the solution when unsafe use is noticed. For example, if an operator is deliberately disobeying workplace safety rules, it might be required to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even if training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is vital to practice forklift awareness training for other staff working in the vicinity of forklifts and pedestrians in order to make sure that everyone will be safe.