Duties of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for lift truck operators to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities would include the lifting and moving of materials and goods from one place to another. They have to be trained to utilized the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers perform a daily pre-shift forklift check. Lift truck driver training should include the proper performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken each and every year.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift operators perform tasks related to loading and unloading supplies in a timely and safe way. This job also includes the stacking of materials in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a lift truck driver can include weighing the materials that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They need to make certain orders are correct and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck operator must have excellent skills in awareness and attention to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The operator will have to find the safest way to deal with difficulties, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator must determine the route that is the safest. A driver's training would involve learning about the elements which could cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator has to be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit which they are using. A lift truck driver should be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents connected to forklifts are more likely to occur when an operator is exhausted.