Forklifts are fine vehicles with the ability to lift many thousands of pounds. They make our lives easier and allow for massive amounts of work to be done quickly. They are fairly easy to use, but the safety involved with using one can be complex. Forklifts are very perilous because of their power and therefore forklift safety training is imperative. So imperative, in fact, that Osha has exact regulations for training when it involves forklifts.
Before you can use any Forklift Osha requires that you are fully trained, evaluated and certified by a competent instructor. This includes safety procedures, carrying out on the class of forklift you will be using and supervised driving practice. In addition, your knowledge and ability will need to be re-evaluated every three years. Lastly, you will need to be reevaluated whenever you have a close call or crisis or if the circumstances of your workplace changes adequate that re-training is prudent.
Osha divides Forklifts into five classes:
Class One forklifts are powered by galvanic motors and are generally used inside because of their lack of exhaust fumes.
Class Two forklifts are used in narrow isles for order picking by the forklift itself or by the driver who is raised up.
Class Three forklifts have operators who whether walk behind or lead the lift. They aren't indeed driven but operators still need to perform certification.
Class Four forklifts are operated by fuel and have solid rubber tires that can only be used on paved surfaces.
Class Five forklifts are also operated by fuel, but they have pneumatic tires which allow them to be driven on unpaved roads.
Whatever class of forklift you operate, Osha requires training exact to that forklift. Forklifts are fine and primary vehicles that make our lives easier. The power of these machines also makes them very dangerous. As such, the training required is imperative.
Forklift security Training: The Classes of Forklift