Duties of a Forklift Driver
The most common area for forklift drivers to be employed are in warehouses and factories. Their responsibilities will comprise the lifting and transporting of supplies and goods from one place to another. They have to be taught to operate the forklift controls safely. Specialized training is a prerequisite. Drivers should have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all forklift operators perform a daily pre-shift lift truck check. Lift truck operator training must comprise the proper performance of safety checks to assure optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken on a yearly basis.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck operators perform tasks related to unloading and loading supplies in a safe and timely manner. This job also involves the organized stacking of goods so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
Weighing the materials that are to be transported can be part of the lift truck driver's duties.
Quality Control
Forklift operators are in charge of quality control. They have to make sure orders are correct and that goods do not sustain damage during transportation in the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
Lift truck drivers should have good skills in both awareness and attention. Drivers need to be highly concerned with the safety of personnel and pedestrians. The operator would need to find the safest way to deal with challenges, like for example navigating a steep surface with a cargo. The driver should determine the route that is the safest. An operator's training will include learning about the elements that can cause a lift truck to tip over. The operator must be very familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit that they are using. A forklift driver should be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid fatigue. Mishaps connected to forklifts are more likely to take place when a driver is exhausted.