Forklift Training Courses -- Here's What You Can Expect
Perhaps you are a newly-hired forklift operator -- or perhaps you are an operator who needs a brush up. Whenever you your particular situation, one thing is for sure: if you are to successfully pass your operator-sponsored forklift training program, you will need a good-quality forklift training course. In this brief article we will summarize what some of these forklift training courses are all about. A well-established company which provides a number of different training programs is Smith and Solomon. Smith and Solomon offer a 1-Day forklift training course. Their course lasts 8 hours, and covers such subjects as engine and motor operation, the use of various forklift controls, steering and maneuvering, and training in capacity and stability. In addition this forklift training course also deals with the subject of aisle loading and unloading, proper stacking and tiering while operating your forklift, and the proper way to load and unload from a tractor-trailer. Solomon and Solomon will provide this intensive forklift training at the business site, using this same equipment you will use on the job every day. Another company providing forklift training is National Safety Compliance. This company has developed a number of innovative training tools: presentations on DVDs and VHS tape, CD-ROMs, various safety posters to reinforce what employees have learned, various types of booklets, OSHA publications, even safety games! Their forklift training video, for example, is 18 minutes in length and deals with such subjects as the types and characteristics of various models of forklifts, how to do a preoperational inspection, forklift fuel and battery safety concerns, and the proper use of forklift attachments. Each forklift training video comes with a printable leader's guide that includes forms, quiz answer keys, wallet certification cards, certificates and much more. And while we're at it, let's not forget the government! The OSHA website (OSHA.gov) has everything you will need to become familiar with the government standards regarding certification for powered industrial trucks (this would include forklift training). OSHA provides a wide variety of training materials -- PDF files, operator training PowerPoint presentations, and pocket cards that can be distributed to various operators. In addition, you can also download a PDF file of a sample performance test, sample daily checklists, resources to help you develop a complete company forklift training program, and the best part is that all of this material is available for free! As the federal government sets the standard for forklift certification training, you would be well advised to begin your investigation here. Finally, I would like to mention a company that claims to be the nation's leader in forklift operator training -- Forklift Safety Training Services, Inc. They distribute an award-winning video entitled "Greater Heights in Forklift Safety". Their forklift training materials are available in both English and Spanish -- and these programs only require about 2 hours of classroom time, which means that your forklift training program will not take up too much of your employees time, or remove them from the job site more than is absolutely necessary. As you can see, forklift training programs can vary quite a bit -- some are mainly paper-and-pencil based, while other programs make use of interesting AV presentations. Whatever your specific requirements though, one of these forklift training programs is sure to meet your -- or your company's -- needs. |
