Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for lift truck drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their tasks will comprise the lifting and transporting of materials and goods from one area to another. They must be trained to safely use the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck operators carry out a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Lift truck operator training should consist of the proper performance of safety checks to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken each and every year.
Unloading and Loading
The forklift operator is tasked with the job of loading and unloading materials in a timely and safe manner. This responsibility also involves the stacking of materials in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a lift truck operator can include weighing the supplies which are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They need to make sure that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are accurate.
Safety Awareness
Forklift drivers must have great skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers have to be very concerned with the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver must determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training would involve learning about the forces that might cause a forklift to tip over. The operator must be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are operating. A lift truck operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid fatigue. Forklift accidents are more likely to happen when a driver is tired.