Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty equipment found in almost every factory and warehouse. These reliable and tough equipment can raise and move heavy things that are not able to lift manually. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to operate a forklift safely. Nearly all employers prefer a high school degree. As the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it could be dangerous if not handled properly, therefore, the skills of the driver are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
To be able to estimate how much a load weighs, the forklift operator needs to have good judgement, able to judge both the weight and height of the load. Knowing the particulars would help to ensure that the load and forklift will fit it designed area. It is very important to have proper judgement in order 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. For instance, if a stack of items in a pallet or load is off balance and about to fall, the operator has to be able to respond quickly and try to solve the problem. In order to avoid mishaps, a high level of concentration is necessary when using and working in the vicinity of these machinery.
Adaptability
Amongst the top skills of a forklift operator is that they need to be adaptable to the work environment. This can be continually changing depending on the job. Several forklift jobs need drivers to be exposed to dangerous equipment, harmful materials, loud noises, fumes or odors. Warehouses and work surroundings can be busy places. The forklift driver must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. Moreover, many forklift jobs require being outdoors to move things or unload goods; thus, the operator must be prepared at the possibility of working in bad weather conditions.
Machine Maintenance
Operators must be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy machinery works. Operators should learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could make sure that the steering, the horn, the lights, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are functioning at an optimal level.
The operator of the lift truck should also be able to properly maintain the forklift and need to know when something is not working properly. An important part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about machine problems.