Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty machine found in almost every warehouse and factory. These tough and reliable equipment can lift and move heavy items which are not able to lift manually. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to safely operate a forklift. Nearly all employers prefer a degree in high school. As the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it could be dangerous if not handled correctly, therefore, the skills of the driver are very necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator needs to have good judgment to be able to estimate the weight of a load. They need to be able to judge the width and height of the load so as to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is vital 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 machine in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Driver skills that come in handy are quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. For instance, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver should be able to respond quickly and try to solve the problem. In order to prevent accidents, a high level of concentration is required when utilizing and working in the vicinity of these equipment.
Adaptability
One of the top skills of a lift truck operator is that they need to be adaptable to the work setting. This could be continually changing depending on the job. Some forklift jobs require operators to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous machinery, loud noises, fumes or odors. Work atmospheres and warehouses could be very busy places. The lift truck driver should be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. Furthermore, many forklift tasks require being outdoors to unload goods or transport items; thus, the operator should be prepared at the likelihood of working in bad weather.
Machinery Maintenance
Drivers must be able to follow directions and understand how heavy machine works. Operators must learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could make certain that the lights, the steering, the horn, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are working at an optimal level.
The operator of the forklift should also be able to correctly maintain the forklift 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 issues.