Stand-Up Forklift Training & Certification – Class II

OSHA requires stand-up forklift 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 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 stand-up forklift training and observation before the three-year period is up:

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

Not likely. OSHA requires forklift operators to receive forklift 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 forklift training specific to telescopic reach forklifts.

If you have received sit-down counterbalanced forklift 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 training certification 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 to make sure you are clear on what each control does.

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 forklift certificate or wallet card to your new employer, they do not have to accept it. It is their right to require you to take their own stand-up forklift 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 a 3^rd-party company's safety training materials (like our forklift training kits on CD 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 forklift operators should be trained on.

When we do live training or offer forklift 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 training or the training materials needed to help them certify their employees.

The online forklift training class covers OSHA’s requirements for the classroom portion. Many employers prefer online training because they know exactly what forklift 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 requirements for forklift 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 forklift. 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.

You might also hear a stand-up forklift called a stand-on forklift, or an electric rider forklift.

Forklifts come in a great variety. The most common types, according to toyotaforklift.com, are electric forklifts, internal combustion forklifts, order pickers, reach trucks, high-capacity forklifts, pallet jacks, and pallet stackers. There are other classification systems that range from 5-7 types of forklifts.

Current internet searches show models that range from $15,000 to $35,000. When purchasing a stand-up forklift, however, prices should not be the primary concern. Carefully consider where you would use the forklift, and what it would be lifting. These factors will help you select a model that is safe for the use to which you will put it.

Besides the obvious comfort of the operator (“stand-up” and “sit-down” refers to the position of the operator during operation of the machine), sit-down forklifts are generally more stable and safe, especially if the forklift must stop suddenly or if it slips. Stand-up forklifts are more maneuverable, especially in narrow spaces.