Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty machine found in almost every factory and warehouse. These reliable and tough equipment can lift and move heavy items which are not able to lift by hand. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to operate a forklift safely. Most employers prefer a degree in high school. As the forklift is a heavy piece of machinery it can be dangerous if not handled correctly, hence, the skills of the operator are extremely important.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator has to have good judgment in order to estimate the weight of a load. They have to be able to judge the width and height of the cargo so as to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is very important to have good judgement to be able to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to capably drive the equipment in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Driver skills that come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. 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. In order to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is required when operating and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a lift truck operator is that they have to be adaptable to the work setting. This can be continually changing depending on the task. Some forklift tasks require operators to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous machinery, loud noises, fumes or odors. Warehouses and work surroundings could be really busy places. The operator of the forklift must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. In addition, lots of forklift jobs require being outdoors to transport things or unload supplies; thus, the driver must be prepared at the possibility of working in poor weather conditions.
Machinery Maintenance
Forklift operators have to understand how heavy mobile equipment works and need to be able and willing to follow directions. Drivers must learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could make sure that the steering, the horn, the lights, the brakes and the forks, along with other components are working at an optimal level.
The operator of the lift truck must also be able to correctly maintain the forklift and have to know when something is not functioning correctly. An essential part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain machine problems to mechanics.