{"id":7745,"date":"2020-03-20T15:32:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T19:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/midatlanticindustrial.com\/jarvisgreen\/?p=7745"},"modified":"2020-03-20T15:32:38","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T19:32:38","slug":"osha-forklift-safety-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midatlanticindustrial.com\/jarvisgreen\/osha-forklift-safety-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"OSHA Forklift Safety Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

OSHA Forklift Training: What You Need to Know<\/span><\/h1>\n

Powered industrial trucks such as forklifts can present some risks in the workplace, which means employers should ensure proper training is conducted. Only appropriately trained personnel should operate the machinery, and OSHA provides some guidelines for what should be included in training.<\/p>\n

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Why Is Forklift Training Important?<\/h2>\n

One reason to incorporate OSHA-approved forklift training into your processes is that federal law<\/a> prohibits anyone who isn’t properly certified operating such equipment at work. Even more importantly, the right training can help prevent accidents from operator error or inexperienced operation.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are OSHA’s Requirements for Forklift Training?<\/h2>\n

OSHA requires employers to create training programs that incorporate general safety topics as well as specifics about both the type of equipment and potential hazards in the workplace. Training must include both formal \u2014 or classroom-style learning \u2014 and hands-on application. Formal training can incorporate formats such as classroom lectures, videos and readings, online participation, and discussion groups.<\/p>\n

\nBefore employees can operate material handling equipment on the job, employers must evaluate their ability to safety and effectively handle the machines. OSHA requires that this is done in the form of a certificate that documents that the employee was trained and passed requirements for operation of forklifts. Documentation of the certification should include the name of the employee, the names of anyone conducting the evaluation, the training date and the evaluation date.<\/div>\n

Refresher Training Requirements<\/h2>\n

OSHA considers forklift operator training to be critical to maintaining safety in the workplace, which is why it requires staff engage in training periodically and in certain situations. Employers must evaluate operators and ensure safe, proper performance at least once every three years. If a previously certified operator is witnessed using a forklift in an improper manner or was involved in an accident \u2014 even if it wasn’t his or her fault \u2014 refresher training is required.<\/span><\/p>\n

OSHA also requires employers to provide refresher training if:<\/p>\n