Lift Truck Training Requirements

Employers are required to provide training to employees who operate forklifts and other powered-industrial trucks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) forklift operator training requirements can be found in 29 CFR 1910.178, which specifies details of the training including content, personnel and retraining.

Who Needs Training?

The standard requires operators of mobile power-propelled trucks used to carry, push, pull, stack or tier materials to be trained in accordance with the standard. This definition includes forklifts, walk-behind motorized pallet jacks, baggage handling trucks and all other powered industrial trucks other than those used for earth moving and over-the-road haulage. The standard applies to general industry, construction and maritime operations. All employees using these machines must be trained, regardless of the frequency of operation.

What Does The Training Entail?

The training must be a combination of formal training (lecture, video), practical training (demonstration and exercises), and a performance evaluation. The training must be site-specific and equipment-specific. If employers choose to rely on trade unions, video training programs or off-site training services to provide training, the training must be supplemented with site- and equipment-specific training. Performance evaluations must also be conducted.

Contents of the Training Program

How evaluations and practical exercises are conducted is up to the employer. Formal training, however, must include the following elements:

Truck-Related Topics

• Operating instructions for each type of truck (and limitations);
• Similarities and differences to automobiles;
• Control and instrumentation location and use;
• Engine and/or motor operation;
• Steering and maneuvering;
• Visibility (including visibility restrictions due to loading);
• Operation and limitations of forks and attachments;
• Truckload capacity;
• Truck stability;
• Required inspection and maintenance;
• Servicing, refueling, and/or recharging of batteries; and
• Other warnings, precautions, or instructions listed in the truck's operator's manual.

Workplace-Related Topics

• Surface conditions where the truck will operate;
• Load composition and stability;
• Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking;
• Pedestrian traffic hazards;
• Narrow aisles and other restrictive areas;
• Hazardous locations (explosive, flammable);
• Ramps or other sloped surfaces in the workplace;
• Areas with insufficient ventilation where a buildup of carbon monoxide may occur; and
• Other environmental hazards specific to the workplace.

Trainers

The training must be conducted by persons with the necessary knowledge, training and experience to train and evaluate operators. It is up to employers to determine if their trainers meet these standards. Employers can also designate one or more individuals to provide different aspects of the training program. For example, an outside firm may provide classroom training, and an experienced operator may perform the site-specific training and evaluations.

Retraining Requirements

Retraining must be provided if the operator has been observed operating in an unsafe manner, has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident, receives an evaluation indicating a need for additional training, is assigned to operate a different truck, or if the workplace changes significantly (e.g. installation of a ramp or elevator). Evaluations must be performed at least every three years.

Documentation

Employers are required to certify that each operator has received training and has been evaluated. The certification must include the operator's name, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the name of the person(s) conducting the training and evaluation. Employers only need to have the most current evaluation in their records. Licenses, formal certificates or other documentation are not required.

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