Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
The powered industrial truck or forklift is a heavy duty machine found in almost every factory and warehouse. These tough and reliable machinery can raise and move heavy items that are not able to lift manually. There is some particular training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Nearly all employers prefer a degree in high school. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it can be dangerous if not properly handled, thus, the operator's skills are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator has to have good judgment so as to estimate how much a load weighs. They need to be able to judge the height and width of the cargo in order to ensure that it would fit in a 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
Operator skills that come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. For instance, if a stack of objects in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver has to be able to quickly respond and try to rectify the problem. To be able to avoid mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when utilizing and working near these equipment.
Adaptability
Amongst the top skills of a lift truck driver is that they have to be adaptable to the work environment. This can be continually changing depending on the job. Some forklift jobs require drivers to be exposed to dangerous machines, harmful materials, loud noises, fumes or odors. Warehouses and work surroundings could be really busy places. The operator of the forklift should be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. Furthermore, lots of forklift jobs require being outdoors to transport items or unload supplies; thus, the operator must be ready at the likelihood of working in poor weather.
Machinery Maintenance
Drivers must be able to follow directions and understand how heavy machine works. Drivers must learn how to double check an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety checklist and can guarantee that the steering, the horn, the lights, the forks and the brakes, along with other parts are functioning at an optimal level.
Forklift truck drivers need to also understand how to correctly maintain the vehicles and need to know when something is not functioning correctly. An important part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain machine issues to mechanics.