According to the forklift regulations, an employer is not required to repeat past training of a new operator. To be able to address particular workplace hazards and particular workplace machinery, training needs to be supplemented. For example, an operator doesn't need to be trained to be able to maneuver a lift truck on a ramp if that place of work does not have a ramp; however, if the operator is actually assigned to work somewhere which has a ramp, it is vital that extra training needs to be offered.
Trainees could operate a powered industrial truck just when they are under the direct supervision of people who have the skill, training and knowledge to train operators and assess their skill utilizing the equipment. The trainees can only learn in an environment where such operation does not put in danger other employees or the trainee themselves.
It is necessary to make a practical evaluation within the workplace. If a third party training provider is chosen, it is wise to have the training happen 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 must contain the date of training, the operator name, and the name of the person performing the training and evaluation and finally the date of assessment. Even though some state OSHA bodies need the issue of an operator's certificate, the Federal OSHA does not require it.
Refresher training is required to be completed every 3 years. It is also needed any time an operator shows some kind of deficiency in safe lift truck use. Like for instance, refresher training would be triggered by some instances like: if there is an accident or a near miss, if a different kind of lift truck is introduced to the workplace, if a supervisor observes operating unsafely and if an operator received a poor 3 year evaluation.
When unsafe use of a lift truck is noticed, it must be noticed that refresher training is not always the solution. For instance, if an operator is disobeying workplace safety regulations deliberately, it can be required to implement disciplinary action. And last but not least, even though training lift truck operators is a requirement, it is necessary to practice lift truck awareness training for other staff working near forklifts and pedestrians in order to make certain that everybody would be safe.