Duties of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for lift truck operators to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their tasks would comprise the lifting and transporting of materials and goods from one area to another. They must be trained to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift drivers perform a daily pre-shift lift truck inspection. Forklift driver training should comprise the proper performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Loading and Unloading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of unloading and loading supplies in a timely and safe method. This job also involves the stacking of goods in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the materials which are to be transported could be part of the forklift driver's responsibilities.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They must make sure that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are accurate.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers should have good skills in both awareness and attention. Operators have to be highly concerned with the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The operator should find the safest way to deal with difficulties, like for example navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator should determine the route which is the safest. A driver's training would involve learning about the forces that may cause a forklift to tip over. The driver must be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit which they are utilizing. A lift truck driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Forklift accidents are more likely to occur when an operator is exhausted.