Forklift License Renewal & First Time Certification Training – OSHA Aligned

OSHA requires sit down forklift truck training for forklift operators–on that, there is no question. Where confusion exists is how often operators need forklift refresher training or recertification. Outside of the initial safety training class, OSHA requires forklift operators to be re-evaluated every three years to determine if they are still competent enough to operate.

However, this every-three-year forklift evaluation is the maximum time that is allowed to pass before an operator receives forklift recertification. According to OSHA, there are several instances that will require additional forklift safety training and observation before the three year period is up:

• Forklift operator/fork truck operator is observed in an accident or a near miss
• Forklift operator/fork truck operator received a poor evaluation or is observed driving in a dangerous manner
• The forklift operator/fork truck operator is assigned to drive a different type of forklift or the workplace has changed significantly enough to require additional forklift safety training (such as being transferred from a warehouse to a dock or a construction site)

Bottom line, yes, forklift drivers definitely should wear hard hats. Check out the related article Should Forklift Drivers Wear Hard Hats. This article explains exactly why forklift drivers should wear hard hats and references OSHA’s specific regulations on the matter.

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Not likely. OSHA requires forklift operators to receive forklift safety training for each type of forklift. On this term, “type,” there is much confusion. Generally speaking, by “type,” OSHA means sit down forklift vs. stand up forklift vs. telescopic handler vs. truck mounted forklift, etc. For example, say you have always operated a stand-up forklift in a warehouse but have suddenly been asked to operate a telehandler. In this case, you would need additional sit down forklift truck training specific to telescopic reach forklifts.

If you have received sit down counterbalance forklift safety training in a warehouse and have always operated a Toyota forklift, but then are asked to operate a Cat forklift, you should be just fine to operate under the same forklift certification/fork truck certification and forklift license (wallet card) received previously. Keep in mind though, controls can differ greatly from brand to brand, so in some cases, you may need additional instruction or a quick refresher training forklift course to make sure you are clear on what each control does.

Yes, you need to take a forklift operator safety training course. No matter how long you’ve been on the job, OSHA requires forklift safety training, a forklift written exam, and a practical forklift evaluation. There is no way around it. The extent of the classroom training can be adapted by the instructor according to student needs. The written exam proves mental competency and understanding of the safety principles taught. And the practical evaluation proves the forklift operator not only understands but is capable of operating safely. In the opinion of many, the practical evaluation is of the greatest overall value.

This is a common question, especially among laborers-for-hire who may sub out from job to job. Technically, it is your current employer who is responsible for saying whether or not you have been trained specifically for the type of forklift and job. If you bring a counterbalance forklift certificate or counterbalance forklift license (wallet card) to your new employer, they do not have to accept it. It is their right to require you to take their own training class. This is because if there is an accident, they will likely be responsible and need to prove to OSHA that they trained you on forklift operations.

This, above all, causes a lot of confusion. Bottom line, OSHA states that employers are responsible for training their employees. Generally speaking, there are three ways they can do this:

• Train employees in-house with their own program
• Hire a 3^rd party to train employees (on-site or off-site)
• Use another company’s materials or online classes to train employees

In terms of using 3^rd party safety training materials (like our sit down forklift truck training kits on USB or our forklift online training classes), OSHA does not recognize one company over another. They simply state that training needs to occur and outline the topics a forklift operator should be trained on.

When we do live training or offer forklift safety training online, people often assume we are the ones certifying the trainees. This is not true for any training company. We are simply assisting the employer by providing live forklift safety training or the training materials needed to help them certify their employees.

The online forklift course covers OSHA’s training requirements for the classroom portion. Many employers prefer online training because they know exactly what forklift safety training the operator will receive. In live classes, the training sometimes varies. A written exam is included at the end of our online training courses. After the forklift class and exam are finished, you and your safety managers will have immediate access to a practical evaluation checklist. This can be printed off and used by your supervisor to help him or her evaluate you on the forklift. When done, they can sign it and file it with your exam. This will satisfy OSHA’s training requirements for forklift certification/fork truck certification.

No. OSHA states that the forklift manufacturer must approve the use of a specific forklift attachment. Too often we see forklift operators using personnel work platforms (man baskets) or other attachments that are made by different manufacturers. They assume that because their forklift is equipped to use such an attachment, it is okay to use any brand. Not true. If you are operating a Toyota forklift then you must contact Toyota and get their written approval to use any attachment, especially if they are of another brand. New capacity plates must be issued with any addition. Your operator’s manual will tell you if your forklift can handle certain kinds of attachments or not.

Contrary to popular belief, OSHA does not dictate what a passing score entails. That is ultimately up to the employer whose responsibility it is to certify, or authorize, their employee to operate a boom truck. If you want to pass him at 80%, fine. But what if a question or two among the 20% missed could lead to an accident or death? Is it worth it? Our recommendation is that you always go over any missed questions with your trainees—even if they just missed one. Once they understand the principle missed, have them write their initials by the correct answer. That way, you are protecting them and those around them from potential accidents in the future.

Upon completing the forklift training/fork truck training online you will then take the included forklift test and upon passing it with a score of 80% or higher (you get two chances) you will immediately have access to your printable forklift certification/fork truck certification and forklift license/fork truck license (wallet card). If you choose the training kit, the certificate template comes with the kit materials.

Yes, they can! View our blog here

No, we do not offer a forklift practice test. However, we do allow a second try on the test.

You can’t, there are free forklift training options out there but they generally do not result in a license or certificate of any kind.

You will have access to your forklift license (wallet card) *immediately upon passing the included exam in the training kit. The person conducting the training will then get you your license (wallet card) and certificate. For online courses, you will have access to printable versions of both the forklift license and certificate upon passing the exam.

OSHA requires forklift operators to be re-evaluated *every three years. However, this every-three-year forklift evaluation is the maximum time that is allowed to pass before an operator receives forklift recertification. There are several instances that will require additional forklift safety training and observation before the three year period is up. Learn More

Forklift training is required every three years. However, there are circumstances that would require additional training before the three year mark. Learn what they are here.

The weight of a forklift varies depending on the machine you use, any added attachments, and the amount of weight it can lift. Typically, forklifts weigh between 5 to 10 thousand pounds

An unstable forklift can tip over easily, though normally this issue is accounted for to prevent a rollover. A forklift ( lift truck) is more likely to tip over if the corners too fast, brakes too fast, drives too fast on uneven ground, or is influenced by other dynamic conditions.

Forks, or tynes, are the attachments on the forklift carriage. They are used to make direct contact with a load for transport. They are designed to carry a load from the bottom of the stack.

Forklifts will usually have designated parking areas. Do not park an industrial lift truck near doorways, switches and electricity boards, firefighting equipment, blind corners, on inclines, on soft ground, in the middle of an aisle, or near fire exits or pedestrian walkways” so that it agrees with the rest of the sentence.

Driving a forklift is very different from driving a car or other work site vehicles. An operator must have the proper certification and be observed driving the lift truck carefully by a supervisor before being permitted to drive one of these vehicles.