Counterbalance forklift Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody utilizing a counterbalanced forklift be given lecture style or classroom training. They additionally require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving program is completed. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. Also, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is used to balance its cargo using its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but could be raised and lowered to secure and move cargo. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be properly trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment that they will be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom would offer forklift and driver information for the truck you would be driving. Most training will cover several aspects like the load and weight capacity, height, how to fuel or charge the forklift. It covers how to gauge the time on the engine along with any lift truck specific safety information including where to stand when walking around the truck. Either oral and/or written testing is part of the classroom training. There is no required minimum time for the training.
Supervised Driving
The lift truck driver needs to learn how to operate the counterbalanced lift truck while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an area which reflects the environment the driver will be driving in. This atmosphere must include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures close by, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by too. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver has to drive while being supervised.