responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for lift truck operators to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities would consist of the lifting and transporting of materials and loads from one area to another. They should be trained to use the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators should 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 forklift check. Lift truck operator training must include the correct performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on an annual basis.
Unloading and Loading
Forklift drivers perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a safe and timely manner. This job also includes the stacking of materials in an organized method so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
The duties of a lift truck operator could include weighing the supplies that are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They must make certain that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse and orders are accurate.
Safety Awareness
Forklift drivers should have good skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers need to be very concerned with the safety of employees and pedestrians. The operator must find the safest way to handle difficulties, like navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The driver must determine the safest route to take. A driver's training would include learning about the forces which might cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator should be extremely familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit which they are utilizing. A lift truck operator must be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents associated to lift trucks are more likely to happen when an operator is exhausted.