Onsite Forklift Training – Forklifts play a crucial role in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, shipping yards, construction sites, and other industries. From loading and unloading, to transporting goods, they are a vital tool. That said, if they’re not handled or maintained properly, forklifts can be dangerous.
Accordingly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) requires forklift operators to hold a valid forklift certification prior to using a forklift.
Given that OSHA estimates that 70% of forklift related accidents in the United States could have been prevented with proper forklift training, they take forklift training and certification very seriously – including, enforcing such penalties as monetary fines or even imprisonment if the case warrants it.
Therefore, whether your company uses one forklift or many, as an employer, you’re required to ensure that your forklift operators have undergone formal forklift training and hold a valid forklift certification. Formal forklift training means that the operator must have taken a proper forklift class, followed by a written exam, as well as had their performance evaluated.
Furthermore, if a forklift operator is observed to not be operating a forklift safely, they’re required to take a refresher course prior to operating the equipment again.
Per OSHA 1910.178(i)(6), forklift operators discovered not holding a valid forklift certification indicating the operator has the aptitude, knowledge, and skills to safely and properly operate a forklift – will be fined.
Serious violations can cost you $14,502 per violation!
Failure to abate violations can cost you $14,502 per day beyond the abatement date.
AND…willful or repeated violations can COST you $145,027 per violation! (That’s right, six figures!)
Source.
As you can see, these penalties are no joke.
In addition to penalties, untrained forklift operators can cost you thousands of dollars in costly injuries, accidents, and property damage. From fines and increases in your workers compensation insurance, to financial burdens associated to damaged equipment, goods, and liabilities – risking allowing untrained and/or un-certified forklift operators to operate your company’s equipment is one risk that should not be taken.
As such, you may be wondering what’s required in forklift training? What does OSHA require a forklift operator to learn and be tested on? Well, we can help! We can take the guesswork off your hands, as we offer OSHA compliant forklift training!
With our 15+ years of experience of offering onsite forklift training and certification, we can help you and your staff not only learn how to safely and properly operate a forklift, but our experienced trainers can help ensure that your forklift operators are fully trained and have completed the coursework and testing required to earn their OSHA compliant forklift certification.
To learn more about our onsite forklift training, please click here.
Contact us today to learn more about American Forklift Training Centers, Inc. in-depth and cost-effective onsite forklift training and certification – where we can help you save thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenses, headaches, and legal issues.
Our classes are available in English and Spanish!