responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for forklift operators to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their responsibilities will consist of the lifting and moving of supplies and goods from one place to another. They should be trained to operate the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Operators should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
HRSDC and OSHA both require lift truck operators to carry out daily and pre-shift checks. Forklift driver training must consist of the proper performance of safety checks to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken every year.
Loading and Unloading
The forklift driver is tasked with the job of loading and unloading supplies in a safe and timely manner. This job also involves the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
Weighing the supplies that are to be moved could be part of the lift truck driver's responsibilities.
Quality Control
The driver of the forklift would be 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
Forklift drivers must have great skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers need to be very concerned with the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to deal with difficulties, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver should determine the safest route to take. An operator's training would involve learning about the forces which could cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver must be very familiar with the safety ratings and design of the forklift unit that they are utilizing. A lift truck driver needs to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid fatigue. Accidents associated to lift trucks are more likely to take place when an operator is tired.