responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
Lift truck operators usually are employed in factories and warehouses. Their job is to move materials and goods from one place to another. They need to be taught to use the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift drivers carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck inspection. Forklift operator training should comprise 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 should be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Unloading and Loading
The forklift operator is tasked with the job of unloading and loading materials in a timely and safe method. This responsibility also includes the stacking of goods in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the materials that are to be transported can be part of the lift truck operator's duties.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They need to make certain orders are accurate and that products do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Forklift operators must have good skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers have to be highly concerned with the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to handle difficulties, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver should determine the safest route to take. A driver's training would involve learning about the forces which might cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator should be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit that they are operating. A lift truck operator has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents associated to forklifts are more likely to happen when an operator is exhausted.