Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities will consist of the lifting and transporting of supplies and loads from one place to another. They should be taught to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers should pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
OSHA and HRSDC both require forklift drivers to carry out daily and pre-shift checks. Forklift driver training must consist of the correct performance of safety inspections to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken each year.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck operators perform tasks related to loading and unloading supplies in a timely and safe manner. This responsibility also includes the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the materials which are to be moved can be part of the lift truck operator's responsibilities.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They have to make certain that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
Forklift operators should have good skills in both attention and awareness. Operators have to be highly concerned with the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to deal with challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver should determine the route which is the safest. An operator's training would involve learning about the elements which may cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator should be very familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit which they are using. A forklift driver has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents connected to forklifts are more likely to occur when a driver is exhausted.