Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machine found in factories and in warehouses. They are used to transport and move bulk things that are too heavy to carry or lift manually. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to safely use a forklift. Most employers prefer a high school degree. As the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it could be dangerous if not handled properly, thus, the driver's skills are very necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator needs to have good judgment to be able to estimate how much a load weighs. They need to be able to judge the width and height of the load in order to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is vital to have proper judgement in order to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Operator skills that come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for instance, if a stack of items in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the driver should be able to respond quickly and try to fix the problem. To be able to prevent accidents, a high level of concentration is required when using and working in the vicinity of these equipment.
Adaptability
Depending upon the task, one of the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending upon every job, this could change on a continuous basis. Some forklift tasks need drivers to be exposed to dangerous machines, harmful materials, fumes, odors or loud noises. Work atmospheres and warehouses could be busy places. The driver of the forklift should be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. Furthermore, many forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload goods or transport items; thus, the driver must be prepared at the possibility of working in bad weather conditions.
Machine Maintenance
Forklift operators need to understand how heavy mobile machine works and need to be able and willing to follow directions. Operators must learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to make sure that the lights, the steering, the horn, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are functioning at an optimal level.
Forklift truck operators need to also understand how to properly maintain the vehicles and need to know when something is not functioning correctly. An important part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain machine problems to mechanics.