OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has set requirements that must be met for a person to receive forklift operator certification. These requirements can be met with on-site training, but they must include certain criteria as well as ongoing training.
Classroom Training
OSHA will allow each business to develop its own training program within certain set limitations. Any certification program must include a classroom portion. This will generally include training materials as well as a written test or acknowledgement of training.
Site-Specific Training
The classroom portion must cover site-specific situations which may effect the forklift operator. This may include handling of hazardous material, the need for hearing protection or the design and layout of the facility.
Hands-On Evaluation
After completing the classroom portion of the training, the potential operator must complete a hands-on evaluation. This evaluation must be overseen by one or more experienced operators who can adequately evaluate the candidate's operating abilities.
Recertification
Once an operator passes both the classroom and hands-on test, the certification will be valid for a period of three years. At the end of this time the operator must be re-certified. Re-certification must also take place if the operator is involved in an accident or is observed operating the machine in an unsafe manner.
Changing Employers
Forklift operator certification is not transferable from one employer to another. Each operator must receive site-specific training as well as being reviewed on the forklift's used by the new employer. Each facility and each type of machine will present new concerns and new requirements.
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