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Required Training for Powered Industrial Truck Operators
In July 1999 new training requirements, under Title 8 of the General Industry Safety Orders, Section 3668 for powered industrial truck operators, went into effect. All employers who use forklifts and other industrial trucks at their worksite, except for agricultural operations defined in Section 3437, are required to provide training for their industrial truck operators before they are allowed to operate the trucks independently.
An employer must develop the training program or hire an outside consultant who has the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and to evaluate their competence. Training must be based on the trainee's prior knowledge and skill, types of powered industrial trucks used in the workplace, specific hazards in the workplace, and the trainee's demonstrated ability to operate a powered industrial truck safely. Training must consist of a combination of formal instruction (lectures, videos, etc.) and practical demonstrations (with exercises performed by the trainee) in proper vehicle operation including warnings and precautions; inspections and maintenance; and other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation. An evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace must also be done. A trainee may only operate the powered industrial truck under the direct supervision of persons who have knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence.
The regulation requires employers to make an initial performance evaluation of their industrial truck operators, with periodic evaluations (at least once every three years) to ensure that their skills remain at a high level. Refresher training must be conducted whenever there is a demonstrated need for it. Refresher training in relevant topics is required if an operator has been observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner, has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident, has been assigned a different type of truck or if there are changes in the workplace that would affect the safe operation of the truck.
For current employees, initial training and evaluation must be completed by July 15, 2000. For employees hired after that date, the training and evaluation must be completed before the employee is assigned to operate a powered industrial truck. Employers must certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required including the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.
"Information or recommendations contained in these articles were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations."
The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied
upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate
only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards.
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