Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machinery found in warehouses and in factories. They are used to move and transport bulk things that are very heavy to lift or carry manually. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Nearly all employers prefer a high school degree. As the forklift is a heavy piece of equipment it can be dangerous if not properly handled, thus, the skills of the operator are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
To be able to estimate how much a load weighs, the forklift driver has to have good judgement, able to judge both the height and weight of the cargo. Knowing the particulars will help to guarantee that the load and forklift would fit it designed area. It is important to have good judgement in order to move the lift truck around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to competently drive the equipment in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Operator skills which come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. For instance, if a stack of things in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the operator should be able to quickly respond and try to solve the problem. To be able to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when utilizing and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Depending upon the job, among the top skills of a forklift operator is to be able to adapt to their specific work surroundings. Depending upon every job, this can change on a continuous basis. Several forklift tasks require drivers to be exposed to damaging materials, dangerous machines, odors, loud noises or fumes. Work surroundings and warehouses could be very busy places. The driver of the forklift should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety in general. Furthermore, a lot of forklift tasks require being outdoors to transport things or unload supplies; thus, the operator must be prepared at the likelihood of working in poor weather conditions.
Machinery Maintenance
Operators should be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy machine works. Drivers have to learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to make sure that the steering, the horn, the lights, the brakes and the forks, along with other components are working at an optimal level.
The operator of the lift truck should also be able to correctly maintain the lift truck and have to know when something is not functioning properly. An important part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about machinery problems.