Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machinery found in factories and in warehouses. They are used to transport and move bulk things which are very heavy to carry or lift manually. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to use a forklift safely. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machinery it could be dangerous if not handled properly, therefore, the driver's skills are very important.
Good Judgment
In order to estimate how much a load weighs, the forklift driver needs to have good judgement, able to judge both the height and weight of the load. Knowing the particulars will help to guarantee that the forklift and load would fit it designed area. It is very important to have good judgement in order to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the machinery in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Required lift truck skills skills include excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for example, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver must be able to respond quickly and try to solve the problem. To be able to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is necessary when utilizing and working in the vicinity of these equipment.
Adaptability
Depending on the job, amongst the top skills of a forklift operator is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending on each task, this can change on a continuous basis. Some forklift tasks need drivers to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous machinery, fumes, odors or loud noises. Warehouses and work atmosphere can be very busy places. The lift truck driver must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety in general. In addition, many forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload goods or move things; therefore, the driver should be prepared at the likelihood of working in poor weather conditions.
Machinery Maintenance
Forklift drivers have to understand how heavy mobile machine works and have to be able and willing to follow directions. Operators should learn how to double check an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety checklist and can ensure that the lights, the steering, the horn, the brakes and the forks, along with other parts are functioning at an optimal level.
Forklift truck operators have to also understand how to correctly maintain the vehicles and have to know when something is not functioning properly. An important part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain equipment problems to mechanics.