Duties of a Forklift Driver
Lift truck drivers usually are employed in factories and warehouses. Their responsibility is to transport materials and loads from one place to another. They should be taught to operate the forklift 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 forklift drivers perform a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Forklift operator training must comprise the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection should also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken every year.
Unloading and Loading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of loading and unloading supplies in a safe and timely way. This job also includes the organized stacking of goods so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the supplies which are to be transported can be part of the forklift driver's responsibilities.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They should make certain orders are correct and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck operator should have excellent skills in awareness and attention to safety. Operators must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of employees and pedestrians. The operator should find the safest way to handle challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator must determine the safest route to take. A driver's training will include learning about the elements that might cause a forklift to tip over. The driver must be very familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit that they are utilizing. A forklift driver needs to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Mishaps connected to lift trucks are more likely to occur when an operator is exhausted.