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It takes experience and proper training to safely operate a forklift. In order to get certified for operation, you need a license. And as with most licenses, these will expire in time. So how and where do you renew your forklift license? Today, we’ll take a look at what steps you need to take to renew your license.
Why Renew Your Forklift License?
Unfortunately, operating a forklift can be dangerous. Forklift accidents cause about 85 workplace fatalities each year. Additionally, there are almost 35,000 serious injuries caused by forklift-related accidents. These injuries can cost employers up to $43,000 per affected employee.
Forklift accidents are most often a result of driver error. As you can see, receiving proper training and retraining is essential for an operator’s health and safety.
Is Your Forklift License Expired?
You probably already knew that you can’t operate a forklift with an expired license. Why? In short, because OSHA says so.
In fact, OSHA is incredibly specific about forklift training and evaluation. You have to get refresher training every three years to keep your forklift license current.
So, if your forklift license is expired, take a forklift safety training, written exam, and practical evaluation. Then get back to work! It’s as simple as that.
Take a quick look at your forklift license. Are you coming up on the expiration date? Don’t worry. All you have to do is take a forklift safety training, written exam, and practical evaluation.
It’s best to keep your license up to date so that you can continue operating on your worksite as usual. Talk to your employer about signing up for a refresher course if you need one.
But I Don’t Want to Take A Training Course Again!
We can’t help you there. OSHA will issue penalties if they discover you’re operating with your forklift license expired.
You need to take a forklift safety course, written exam, and practical exam to be licensed. The reason is that over time, any operator can become lax with safe operations. Not only that but the written and practical exams prove your continued competency.
If there happened to be an accident on your worksite involving an unlicensed forklift operator, OSHA could issue fines as high as $134,937 per violation.
Recertify for Forklift Operation
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA), a forklift license expires 36 months after the date it was issued. Operators are required to renew their licenses every three years by completing OSHA Aligned refresher trainings.
However, under certain circumstances, this retraining may be required sooner. These could include the following:
- Before an operator uses a new type of forklift
- A forklift accident has occurred in the workplace
- If unsafe or incorrect forklift operation has been observed in the workplace
What OSHA Says:
The OSHA standard for powered industrial trucks states:
“The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).” (OSHA 1910.178)
Also, your forklift certification and recertification need to be provided by an accredited training program.
In Conclusion
If you need to recertify or renew your forklift license, don’t put it off! Our OSHA Aligned forklift training can help you stay certified and licensed. For additional information and trainings, visit our homepage.
Don’t let that be your company. Come to us if your forklift license expired or is about to. We can offer you training on:
Good luck, and stay safe!