Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy equipment found in factories and in warehouses. They are utilized to transport and move bulk items that are very heavy to lift or carry by hand. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to operate a forklift safely. Nearly all employers prefer a high school degree. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it can be dangerous if not handled properly, thus, the driver's skills are very important.
Good Judgment
To be able to estimate the weight of a load, the forklift operator needs to have good judgement, able to judge both the height and weight of the cargo. Knowing the particulars would help to ensure that the load and forklift will fit it designed area. It is important to have good judgement to be able to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the equipment in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Driver skills which come in handy are quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. Like for example, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the operator should be able to respond quickly and try to rectify the issue. In order to avoid mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when operating and working in the vicinity of these machinery.
Adaptability
Depending upon the task, one of the top skills of a forklift operator is to be able to adapt to their specific work surroundings. Depending on every task, this could change on a continuous basis. Several forklift tasks require operators to be exposed to dangerous equipment, harmful materials, loud noises, fumes or odors. Work atmospheres and warehouses can be busy places. The forklift operator must be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. In addition, numerous forklift tasks require being outdoors to move things or unload supplies; hence, the operator has to be ready at the likelihood of working in poor weather conditions.
Machinery Maintenance
Forklift drivers need to understand how heavy mobile equipment works and need to be able and willing to follow directions. Operators must learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could guarantee that the lights, the steering, the horn, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are functioning at an optimal level.
The driver of the lift truck should also be able to correctly maintain the forklift and have to know when something is not functioning correctly. An important part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about machinery problems.