Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody utilizing a counterbalanced forklift receive classroom or lecture style training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving program is completed. There is no required minimum time for the classroom training or supervised driving. In addition, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its cargo using the truck's weight. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go up and down and do not pivot. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that people who would be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be trained on the trucks while being in the environment which they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style will provide lift truck and driver information for the truck you will be driving. Most training will include several aspects like the weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the lift truck. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine in addition to any lift truck specific safety information like for instance 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 forklift operator has to learn how to use the counterbalanced forklift while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in a place that reflects the environment the operator would be driving in. This atmosphere should include the type of terrain she would be traveling on, have similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by, and similar surrounding structures nearby also. There is no specific minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.