What are the OSHA Forklift Driver Training Regulations?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires classroom or lecture-style training and supervised driving for a forklift driver to receive her certification. The agency then requires periodic refresher training to maintain the certification.
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Classroom or Lecture Style Training
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The first part of forklift driver training is classroom or lecture style training. OSHA does not specify a required number of hours, but the training includes safety information about the type of forklift the driver will be operating, including information like lift capacity, turning radius and how to refuel in the case of a diesel lift truck, or recharge, in the case of a battery-operated forklift.
The classroom or lecture style training may include written or oral examination.
Supervised Driving
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OSHA next requires that a driver operate a forklift under supervision. It is up to the supervising trainer to determine when the driver can operate the lift truck safely; OSHA doesn't set a minimum hours requirement.
The supervised driving must take place on the type of forklift the driver will be operating in the workplace and must take place in an environment closely resembling that in the workplace, including the same terrain, nearby structures (such as buildings or shelving) and nearby pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
After classroom training and supervised driving are completed, the driver receives a certification.
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Refresher Training
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OSHA also requires forklift drivers receive periodic refresher training. The agency does not mandate a frequency, nor does it dictate the content of such training, but it may include classroom style training, oral or written examination, supervised driving or some combination of those.
Dates of refresher training must appear on the driver's certification.
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References
- Photo Credit forklift image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
