responsibilities of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for lift truck drivers to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their responsibilities will include the lifting and moving of supplies and loads from one area to another. They should be taught to use the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck operators carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Forklift driver training must include the correct 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 year.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a timely and safe manner. This responsibility also includes the stacking of goods in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
The duties of a forklift operator can include weighing the supplies that are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They should make certain orders are correct and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck operators must have great skills in both attention and awareness. Drivers need to be very concerned with the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to handle challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator must determine the safest route to take. A driver's training would include learning about the elements which can cause a forklift to tip over. The operator needs to be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit that they are operating. A lift truck driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent fatigue. Forklift accidents are more likely to take place when a driver is exhausted.