The importance of reach trucks makes them essential in warehouse operations. But they’re also frequently involved in transportation-related accidents inside the workplace. Failure to prevent and minimize transportation accidents at the workplace can cause severe damage to merchandise, reach trucks, and your company’s facilities. By learning the fundamentals of workplace safety and using approved guidelines and techniques, you can easily minimize risks associated with using these machines. Learn more about common transportation-related injuries and some effective workplace safety habits.
When choosing a provider of reach truck training, be sure that the provider has certified instructors. The instructors must possess the proper certification to operate this type of equipment, which often requires a national certification. When approaching a provider for training, ask if the training instructors have additional education or experience beyond the basic class required for most forklift operators. It is important to choose a provider who offers flexible classes and instructors that are qualified to instruct these specialized machines.
Some companies require their providers of reach truck training to also take and pass a national or state board examination before becoming certified. Others do not require operator certification, but instead prefer to hire candidates that have already undergone basic training and operator certification. Still others offer a variety of options to employees seeking certification. For example, some companies may prefer to hire an employee already certified if the person shows potential in-demand qualities.
It is important that all employees that will be using or operating a forklift understand the safe practices and rules associated with it. For example, one rule varies from place to place, depending on the volume of goods being moved. Regardless of whether operators are told to follow the local rules or their own personal policies, all employees should be educated in reach truck operations and safety.
The training offered by several training providers is similar. Some include video instructions and tutorials in their packages. A couple of other providers to make available online learning courses as well. Many of these courses are available to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, many of the online providers also offer reach truck training certification to their customers free of charge, along with online access to operator’s manuals, training tips and information about safety and job related issues.
There are several ways for a person to become trained as a forklift operator. However, there is only one recognized training provider in the United States. All of the leading providers of reach truck training certification will accept people who are currently employed by major trucking companies and will train those who apply. To become certified, an individual must be able to lift and move heavy objects safely. He or she must also have a firm understanding of safety protocol and basic ergonomics.