Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for lift truck drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities will comprise the lifting and transporting of materials and goods from one place to another. They should be trained to utilized the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
OSHA and HRSDC both require forklift operators to carry out daily and pre-shift inspections. Lift truck driver training must include the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken every year.
Loading and Unloading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of loading and unloading materials in a safe and timely method. This job also includes the stacking of supplies in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The responsibilities of a forklift operator could include weighing the supplies that are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They must make sure that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck operators should have good skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers need to be very concerned with the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to handle challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator should determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training will involve learning about the elements which could cause a forklift to tip over. The operator has to be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit which they are utilizing. A forklift operator should be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Forklift accidents are more likely to take place when a driver is exhausted.