Counterbalance forklift Training
OSHA does require operators utilizing a counterbalanced forklift to have received classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training along with a supervised driving program is completed. There is no minimum time requirement for the supervised driving or classroom training. Moreover, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its load utilizing the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not turn. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that people who would be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Classroom training or lecture style training offers information about the truck that the operator would be driving. This training covers aspects like load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the forklift. It covers 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 oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The forklift operator has to learn how to drive the counterbalanced forklift while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in a place that reflects the environment the operator will be driving in. This atmosphere must include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have the same surrounding structures nearby, and the same pedestrian and vehicle traffic nearby also. There is no specific minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.