Powered Industrial Truck

Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. Forklift operators must know how to do the job properly and safely. OSHA requires the operator to be trained through a 3-phase training; formal instruction, practical training, and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.  (1910.178 Subpart N, Powered Industrial Trucks.)

• Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions 
• Differences between the truck and the automobile.  
• Truck controls and instrumentation.  
• Engine or motor operation.  
• Steering and maneuvering.  
• Visibility (including restrictions due to loading).  
• Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations.  
• Vehicle capacity and stability.  
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance.  
• Procedures for refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries.  
• Operating limitations.
• Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated.  
• Composition of loads to be carried and load stability.  
• Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking.  
• Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated.  
• Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated.  
• Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated.  
• Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability.  
• Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust.