Duties of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for lift truck operators to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities would comprise the lifting and moving of materials and loads from one place to another. They have to be taught to safely use the forklift controls. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Drivers should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift operators perform a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Forklift driver training should consist of the correct performance of safety inspections to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck operators perform tasks related to unloading and loading supplies in a timely and safe manner. This responsibility also includes the organized stacking of goods so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the supplies that are to be transported can be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They must make certain orders are correct and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck driver must have excellent skills in awareness and attention to safety. Operators should exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to handle challenges, like for example navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator will need to determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training will involve learning about the forces that may cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator needs to be very familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit that they are using. A lift truck driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Mishaps connected to lift trucks are more likely to occur when a driver is exhausted.