responsibilities of a Forklift Operator
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in factories and warehouses. Their tasks will consist of the lifting and moving of materials and goods from one place to another. They must be trained to safely operate the lift truck controls. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Drivers must pass a drug test and have a background check.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck operators carry out a daily pre-shift lift truck inspection. Lift truck operator training should 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
Lift truck drivers perform tasks related to unloading and loading supplies in a safe and timely way. This job also involves the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Materials
The duties of a lift truck driver can include weighing the materials which are being transported and recording the weights.
Quality Control
The operator of the lift truck will be in charge of quality control. They need to make certain orders are accurate and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift driver should have exceptional skills in awareness and attention to safety. Drivers should exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of employees and pedestrians. The driver must find the safest way to deal with challenges, like navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The operator must determine the safest route to take. An operator's training would involve learning about the forces which may cause a forklift to tip over. The operator must be extremely familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are operating. A lift truck operator has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Accidents associated to lift trucks are more likely to happen when a driver is tired.