Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody operating a counterbalanced forklift be given lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving course is finished. There is no minimum time requirement for the supervised driving or classroom training. Also, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is used to balance its load utilizing its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but can be lowered and raised to secure and transport loads. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment which they will be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom will provide forklift and driver information for the truck you would be using. Most training would cover several aspects such as the load and weight capacity, height, how to charge or fuel 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 needs to learn how to use the counterbalanced lift truck while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an area that reflects the environment the driver will be driving in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by, and the same surrounding structures nearby too. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver needs to drive while being supervised.