OSHA Forklift Training Requirements

September 4, 2012

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is responsible for ensuring there are proper regulations on safety in the workplace. This is no exception when it comes to the proper ways to safely operate a forklift. In fact, OSHA forklift reports that there are about 85 deaths a year that are the result of these kinds of accidents.

That’s why the Administration now requires that certain safety precautions be taken, including a safety training program for all operators. Failure to comply could result in thousands of dollars in fines.

The required training should include topics like how to safely operate the vehicle on different surfaces, how to properly load and unload the fork, and what to do in the event that the vehicle tips over, just to name a few.

There is no universal test that needs to pass, as OSHA does not directly sponsor or administer any course. The main thing is to ensure that the forklift certification process has been completed using a thorough course and that all on-site operators have current credentials. The license is good for three years, and can be carried from state-t0-state; it’s good nationwide.

For more answers to our frequently asked questions, visit us at http://usforkliftcertification.com/forklift_certification_faq.html.