A powered industrial truck, commonly known as a forklift, is a machine used to move, raise, and lower heavy loads in warehouses and industrial settings. Operating this equipment presents significant safety risks, leading to heavy regulation. Handling a forklift is strictly prohibited without first completing specific, mandatory training and achieving official certification.
Mandatory Formal Training and Evaluation
Operation of a powered industrial truck is not permitted until an individual has successfully completed a structured training program provided by their employer. This instruction is a requirement intended to prevent accidents caused by operator error. The training must incorporate both theoretical knowledge and an on-the-job skill assessment to ensure competence.
A standard automobile driver’s license is inadequate for this purpose, as it does not address the unique principles of forklift mechanics and stability. The required program ensures the operator understands the specific equipment and the hazards present in the work environment. Only after this instruction and a final evaluation is a person authorized to operate the equipment independently.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements for Operation
National safety standards mandate that employers are responsible for ensuring every forklift operator is fully trained and certified before working with the equipment. These standards establish the rigorous framework for training content, evaluation methods, and record-keeping. The legal obligation to certify competence rests with the company.
This requirement places the burden of compliance and documentation on the employer, who must maintain records of all training sessions and performance evaluations. The company must ensure the training program addresses general safe operating principles as well as the unique characteristics of the specific types of trucks being used in the facility.
Essential Prerequisites Before Training
An individual must satisfy several requirements before beginning the certification process. The primary rule is a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to legally operate a forklift in non-agricultural settings. This age requirement is necessary because the task is classified as hazardous work, requiring maturity and judgment.
Candidates must also possess the ability to read and comprehend safety manuals, warning labels, and operational instructions. This comprehension is necessary for understanding information related to load capacity and hazard recognition. Adequate physical capabilities, including vision, hearing, and motor skills, are necessary for safe operation and are often verified during a pre-training screening.
Steps to Earn Your Forklift Certification
Classroom Instruction
The certification process begins with a formal instruction phase, which can take place in a classroom, through video lessons, or via interactive computer modules. This theoretical component covers the fundamental concepts of safe operation, including the physics of load stability and the differences between an automobile and a powered industrial truck. Trainees learn about topics such as engine operation, steering and maneuvering techniques, and the limitations of forks and attachments.
Hands-on Practical Training
Following the theoretical instruction, the trainee moves on to supervised, hands-on practical training. This phase involves demonstration by a qualified trainer and practice exercises performed on the specific type of equipment they will be using. This instruction must occur in the actual workplace or a simulated environment that replicates job site hazards.
Performance Evaluation
The final step in the initial certification process is a formal performance evaluation conducted by a qualified person. This practical test assesses the operator’s ability to apply learned knowledge and skills to safely operate the forklift in real-world scenarios. The evaluation typically involves tasks such as pre-shift vehicle inspections, maneuvering through obstacles, picking up loads, and placing them.
Issuance of Documentation
Upon successfully completing the formal instruction and passing the performance evaluation, the operator is certified as competent by the employer. The employer must then issue documentation, often in the form of a license or wallet card, which the operator should carry while working. The employer must keep the certification records, which must include:
- The operator’s name
- The date of training
- The date of evaluation
- The identity of the person who conducted the assessment
Keeping Your Certification Current
Forklift certification is not a permanent qualification and requires periodic renewal to maintain active status. Operators must be re-evaluated at least once every three years to confirm they still possess the necessary skills for safe operation. This mandatory cycle ensures that skills do not decay and that operators remain current with any changes to best practices.
Refresher training and re-evaluation are also immediately required if:
- An operator is involved in an accident or a near-miss incident.
- The operator is observed operating the truck in an unsafe manner.
- Their performance evaluation reveals a deficiency in safe operating procedures.
- The operator is assigned to a different type of powered industrial truck or if changes occur in the workplace that affect safe operation.