Don't rush training

Training forklift operators is not something that can be done quickly, or according to a set plan. Each operator must be trained on an individual basis to insure he or she understands the procedures of operating a truck in his specific work environment.

According to David Hoover, president of Forklift Training Systems, “The trainer must look at the demands that will be put on a specific operator, on a certain type of lift and in a specific application and then determine if the person can perform at that level. If they cannot, the answer to getting them ‘up to speed’ is supervised practice. For some operators, lifts and applications, that may take hours, for others weeks. There is no “instant” forklift operator, no matter how badly production would like to have them up and running. Rushing the process can spell disaster for the operator or a co-worker.

“Trainers must take their jobs seriously and look at operators’ skills, not their personalities or other aspects. Sliding everyone through, no matter what the skill level, is a thing of the past and something we don’t want to continue for safety’s sake. My advice to trainers is to train people thoroughly, invest time in getting them up to speed and then expect a certain level of proficiency before handing them the keys.”