Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA require that anybody using a counterbalanced forklift be given classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a supervised driving program is completed as well as periodic refresher training. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. Moreover, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its load using the truck's weight. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go down and up and do not pivot. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. OSHA require that individuals who will be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they will be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom would provide forklift and driver information for the truck you will be utilizing. Most training will include several aspects like the weight and load capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information including where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The driver of a forklift would need to learn to drive the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment that resembles the present environment which the driver works in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures nearby, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by also. There is no specific minimum number of hours the driver has to drive while being supervised.