Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift operators to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their responsibilities will comprise the lifting and transporting of materials and loads from one place to another. They must be trained to operate the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
HRSDC and OSHA both require lift truck drivers to carry out daily and pre-shift inspections. Forklift driver training should comprise the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck drivers perform tasks related to unloading and loading materials in a safe and timely method. This responsibility also involves the stacking of goods in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the supplies that are to be transported can be part of the forklift operator's responsibilities.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They should make sure that goods do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck operator must have excellent skills in awareness and attention to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator will have to determine the route that is the safest. A driver's training will include learning about the elements which might cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator must be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit that they are operating. A lift truck driver should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Mishaps associated to lift trucks are more likely to occur when an operator is tired.