Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty machinery found in almost every factory and warehouse. These tough and reliable machines could lift and move heavy items which are not able to raise manually. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to operate a forklift safely. Nearly all employers prefer a degree in high school. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it can be dangerous if not correctly handled, therefore, the skills of the operator are very important.
Good Judgment
The forklift driver has to have good judgment to be able to estimate how much a load weighs. They have to be able to judge the height and width of the cargo so as to ensure that it would fit in a designed area. It is essential to have proper judgement to be able to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Necessary forklift operator skills consist of excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. For example, if a stack of things in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the driver should be able to quickly respond and try to rectify the problem. In order to prevent accidents, a high level of concentration is needed when operating and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a lift truck operator is that they have to be adaptable to the work surroundings. This can be continually changing depending on the task. Several forklift tasks need operators to be exposed to damaging materials, dangerous machinery, loud noises, fumes or odors. Work surroundings and warehouses can be busy places. The forklift operator should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety in general. In addition, many forklift tasks require being outdoors to move things or unload merchandise; thus, the operator has to be ready at the possibility of working in bad weather conditions.
Machinery Maintenance
Operators must be able to follow directions and understand how heavy machine works. Drivers must learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to guarantee that the steering, the horn, the lights, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
Forklift truck operators need to also understand how to correctly maintain the vehicles and have to know when something is not working correctly. An important part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain machine issues to mechanics.