Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy equipment found in factories and in warehouses. They are used to move and transport bulk items that are very heavy to carry or lift manually. There is some particular training complete in order to be able to utilize a forklift safely. Most employers prefer a degree in high school. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it could be dangerous if not correctly handled, thus, the skills of the driver are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
To be able to estimate the weight of a load, the forklift driver needs to have good judgement, able to judge both the weight and height of the cargo. Knowing the particulars will help to ensure that both the load and forklift would fit it designed area. It is very vital to have good judgement to be able to move the lift truck around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Operator skills which come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for example, if a stack of things in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the operator should be able to quickly respond and try to solve the issue. In order to avoid accidents, a high level of concentration is needed when utilizing and working near these machinery.
Adaptability
Depending upon the task, among the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending on every task, this could change on a continuous basis. Several forklift tasks require drivers to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous machinery, fumes, odors or loud noises. Warehouses and work atmosphere can be busy places. The forklift driver must be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. Furthermore, numerous forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload goods or transport things; therefore, the operator should be prepared at the likelihood of working in poor climate.
Machine Maintenance
Operators should be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy machine works. Operators should learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to ensure that the steering, the horn, the lights, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are functioning at an optimal level.
The driver of the lift truck should also be able to correctly maintain the lift truck and need to know when something is not functioning properly. An essential part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain equipment issues to mechanics.