Duties of a Forklift Operator
Lift truck drivers typically are employed in warehouses and factories. Their role is to move supplies and goods from one place to another. They have to be trained to safely operate the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators should pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Inspections
HRSDC and OSHA both require forklift operators to perform daily and pre-shift inspections. Forklift driver training must comprise the correct performance of safety inspections to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on an annual basis.
Unloading and Loading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of unloading and loading supplies in a timely and safe way. This job also involves the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the materials that are to be moved can be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They must make certain orders are accurate and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift operator must have excellent skills in awareness and attention to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The operator would have to find the safest way to handle difficulties, like navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver should determine the route which is the safest. An operator's training would involve learning about the forces which can cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver has to be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the lift truck unit that they are using. A lift truck driver must be sensitive to the need for breaks to prevent exhaustion. Mishaps connected to forklifts are more likely to take place when an operator is exhausted.