Counterbalance forklift Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require operators using a counterbalanced forklift to have received classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a supervised driving program is completed as well as periodic refresher training. There is no required minimum time for the classroom training or supervised driving. What's more, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced lift truck balances its load with the weight of the truck. The forks on a lift truck are in a fixed position; they go down and up and do not pivot. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that drivers who would be using counterbalanced forklifts on the job be correctly trained on the trucks while being in the environment which they would be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style would provide forklift and operator information for the truck you would be operating. Most training would cover certain aspects such as the weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the lift truck. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine along with any forklift specific safety information like where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The forklift driver has to learn how to use the counterbalanced lift truck while being supervised. The supervised driving needs 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 would be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures close by, and the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby as well. There is no required minimum number of hours the driver has to drive while being supervised.