Powered industrial trucks may be essential to your operations, but are your operators certified? For businesses with new or experienced forklift and telehandler operators, the certification process may seem like a hurdle, but it is a critical part of a compliant and safe work environment. Getting your team certified ensures your operators have thorough training mandated by OSHA to operate safely. This protects your business from the financial and legal risks of non-compliance.
Understanding the Certification Process
Forklift and telehandler certification is a structured, federally mandated process with three key components. The effectiveness of the training relies on successfully completing all three.
- Formal Instruction: This foundational step provides the theoretical knowledge required to operate equipment safely. It covers a wide range of topics, from OSHA regulations and vehicle stability principles to safety protocols.
- Practical Training: This is where theory meets practice. Under the supervision of a qualified trainer, operators get hands-on experience in a controlled environment, learning to maneuver the equipment and handle loads with precision.
- Performance Evaluation: The final assessment is a hands-on observation by a qualified trainer who confirms that an operator can safely and competently use the specific equipment in the work environment.
An essential part of the certification process is that training must be specific to the equipment. A certification for one type of equipment does not automatically qualify an operator to handle a different machine, especially a specialized machine like a telehandler. It is important to seek training that covers a range of equipment if more than one type of machine is used in your workplace. Training providers, such as Industrial Training International (ITI), offer machine-specific certifications to accommodate the needs of different work environments.
Navigating Recertification and Refresher Training
Effective training is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. For certified operators, OSHA requires a performance re-evaluation at least once every three years to maintain a certification. In addition to a re-evaluation, certain circumstances may require refresher training for operators.
This can include:
- Operators who are observed operating the equipment unsafely.
- Operators who have been involved in an accident or near-miss.
- Operators who are assigned to operate a different type of powered industrial truck.
- A change in workplace conditions that could affect safe operation.
Prioritizing ongoing training will ensure that your workplace remains compliant and safe.
Choosing A Training Provider
Forklift and telehandler certification is an investment in your company's safety, compliance, and productivity. By partnering with a training provider, you can ensure your operators are not only certified but also equipped with the skills and knowledge to operate safely, efficiently, and with confidence. A good training provider takes the burden of training off your plate by providing qualified instructors who deliver a comprehensive curriculum, including:
- Regulatory Knowledge: Gaining a deep understanding of OSHA and ASME/ITSDF standards, as well as operator certification and re-training requirements.
- Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance: Knowing how to perform pre-operational checks to identify potential mechanical issues before they become a safety hazard.
- Operating in Restricted Spaces: Learning to safely navigate narrow aisles, ramps, and other challenging conditions unique to a specific workplace.
- Pedestrian Safety: Understanding how to operate responsibly in environments with foot traffic and communicating effectively with other workers.
Partner with ITI for Safety and Compliance
ITI’s instructor-led courses provide hands-on experience in forklift and telehandler operation, along with knowledge of key safety regulations and equipment functionality. These courses are fully aligned with OSHA requirements and can be added to any on-site ITI instructor-led training course, providing a seamless solution to get your team certified and prepared for a wide range of equipment.
Ready to add Forklift Operator or Telehandler Operator courses to your existing ITI training plan? Contact ITI today to take the next step toward a safer, more compliant workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do my experienced operators still need to be certified? A: Yes. OSHA requires that all operators, regardless of experience, must be formally trained and certified by their employer to operate powered industrial trucks.
Q: How can ITI assist with certification and training? A: ITI’s instructor-led courses include classroom instruction, hands-on practical training, and evaluation. These courses are designed to get your team certified efficiently and in compliance with OSHA regulations. ITI offers separate courses for both forklift and telehandler operators, with certifications for each.
Q: How long does it take to get my operators certified? A: ITI offers certification courses for forklift and telehandler operators, each lasting one day.
Q: Is a driver's license required for my operators? A: No, OSHA does not require a state-issued driver's license for a powered industrial truck operator. However, some employers may have their own internal requirements.
Q: How long do the certifications last? A: OSHA requires that a performance evaluation be conducted at least once every three years to maintain certification.
COMMENTS