Duties of a Forklift Driver
Lift truck operators normally are employed in factories and warehouses. Their job is to move supplies and loads from one location to another. They should be trained to use the lift truck controls safely. Specialized training is a requirement. Drivers must have a background check and pass a drug test.
Performing Checks
HRSDC and OSHA both require lift truck drivers to carry out daily and pre-shift checks. Forklift driver training must include the proper performance of safety inspections to guarantee optimum functionality. An inspection must also be done at the end of every shift. Regular safety training should be undertaken every year.
Unloading and Loading
Lift truck operators perform tasks related to loading and unloading materials in a safe and timely way. This responsibility also includes the organized stacking of supplies so they are accessible.
Weighing Supplies
The duties of a lift truck driver could include weighing the materials that are being moved and recording the weights.
Quality Control
Forklift drivers are in charge of quality control. They should make sure orders are accurate and that products do not sustain damage during transportation inside the warehouse.
Safety Awareness
A responsible lift truck driver should have excellent skills in attention and awareness to safety. Operators should exhibit a high level of concern for the safety of both employees and pedestrians. The operator will have to find the safest way to handle challenges, such as navigating a steep surface with a load. The driver must determine the safest route to take. An operator's training will involve learning about the forces that may cause a lift truck to tip over. The driver has to be very familiar with the safety ratings and design of the lift truck unit which they are operating. A forklift operator has to be sensitive to the need for breaks to avoid exhaustion. Forklift mishaps are more likely to happen when an operator is tired.