responsibilities of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for lift truck drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their tasks will include the lifting and transporting of materials and goods from one place to another. They have to be trained to use the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Operators must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all lift truck drivers carry out a daily pre-shift forklift inspection. Forklift operator training should include the correct performance of safety inspections to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of each shift. Regular safety training must be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Loading and Unloading
The forklift operator is tasked with the job of unloading and loading materials in a timely and safe method. This job also includes the stacking of supplies in an organized way so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the materials that are to be transported could be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
The operator of the forklift would be in charge of quality control. They should make sure that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse and orders are correct.
Safety Awareness
A responsible forklift driver must have exceptional skills in attention and awareness to safety. Drivers must exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both personnel and pedestrians. The driver should find the safest way to deal with difficulties, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The operator should determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training will include learning about the forces that might cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver should be very familiar with the design and safety ratings of the forklift unit which they are using. A forklift driver needs to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to occur when an operator is tired.