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 move and transport bulk items that are very heavy to lift or carry by hand. There is some particular training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Most employers prefer a degree in high school. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it could be dangerous if not properly handled, thus, the skills of the driver are very necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift driver needs to have good judgment so as to estimate the weight of a load. They have to be able to judge the width and height of the load in order to ensure that it would fit in a designed area. It is vital to have proper judgement in order to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Necessary forklift operator skills consist of excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for example, if a stack of things in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the operator should be able to quickly respond and try to fix the problem. In order to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when operating and working near these machinery.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a lift truck driver is that they need to be adaptable to the work setting. This can be continually changing depending on the job. Some forklift jobs need drivers to be exposed to dangerous machines, harmful materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Work atmospheres and warehouses can be busy places. The operator of the forklift should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. In addition, many forklift tasks require being outdoors to unload goods or transport things; thus, the operator needs to be ready at the possibility of working in poor weather conditions.
Equipment Maintenance
Operators must be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy equipment works. Drivers should learn how to double check an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety checklist and be able to ensure that the horn, the lights, the steering, the brakes and the forks, along with other components are functioning at an optimal level.
The operator of the lift truck must also be able to correctly maintain the lift truck and have to know when something is not working correctly. An essential part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about machinery problems.