FAQ
OSHA REGULATIONS AND FAQS ABOUT CERTIFYING FORKLIFT OPERATORS
Lots of questions persist about how to get forklift-certified. Yet, if you have forklift operators on staff, you need to know these questions and answers associated with them. If you don’t, your forklift operators may be prone to accidents. Your business may be susceptible to OSHA penalties as well.
Learn about OSHA forklift certification training requirements. In doing so, you can take the necessary steps to educate your workers on sage operation of forklifts before they use these machines. Plus, you can minimize the risk of forklift accidents and improve on-the-job safety.
WHY DOES OSHA HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR FORKLIFT CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING?
OSHA is committed to workplace safety across all industries. As part of its mission, OSHA has established certification and training requirements for forklift operators. These requirements apply to all forklift operators, at all jobsites in the U.S.
After a series of deadly accidents involving powered industrial trucks, the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Division initially instituted a series of regulations requiring training and certification of all people who operate forklifts. The intent behind the regulations was to reduce the number of serious accidents and fatalities in the future. Here’s a summary of OSHA’s forklift operator requirements:
Forklift operators must be 18 years of age or older.
To drive forklifts, operators must complete an OSHA-compliant training and certification course, such as the course offered by ForkliftCertification.com.
OSHA’s requirements include a list of mandatory topics that need t be covered by the training.
A designated individual needs to evaluate a driver’s understanding of the material, as well as their ability to properly and safely operate the equipment.
Training must be specific to the site and equipment type.
Failure to comply with or ignore OSHA regulations, including having untrained and unlicensed forklift operators can have severe consequences. OSHA can impose daily fines up to $13,653 for each day a violation of its forklift operator regulations continues, up to a maximum of $136,532. Furthermore, any person who makes a false statement or representation of operator certification training can be fined, imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Business can also be denied liability insurance coverage and industrial compensation claims if there’s been a forklift accident resulting in serious injuries or deaths.
There are various ways employers can provide OSHA-required forklift operator training for their workers, including bringing in a third party safety consultant to conduct onsite training, sending workers to an offsite training facility, or establishing an in-house training and certification program.
Hiring an outside consultant to conduct either on-site or off-site training is both expensive and disruptive to operations. A much faster, more convenient and less expensive way for employers to have their operators trained and certified is through FLC’s online Train A Trainer program, which allows operator training, evaluation, and certification to take place entirely in-house.
We’ve been providing OSHA-compliant training for companies of all sizes throughout the country since 2002. And, our team is happy to help your workers become OSHA-compliant forklift operators.
FAQS ON HOW TO GET FORKLIFT-CERTIFIED
Here are some questions we’re frequently asked by employers and individuals about forklift operator certification and online training classes, along with our answers:
1.What is forklift operator certification?
In simple terms, a forklift certification is a document that shows a forklift operator has successfully completed an OSHA-compliant training program, such as our forklift operator training course. The three training packages we offer are:
Our Trainer Certification program, which for $149 will certify one or more of your workers to train and evaluate your other operators;
Our Training Kit, which your trainer will use to certify your current and future forklift operators for $399; and
Our Bundle Package that includes both the Training Kit and the Train A Trainer course for the discounted price of $499.
We take the guesswork out of forklift certification training. With our support, you can help your workers become OSHA-compliant forklift operators in as little as one hour.
2.Where can I get forklift-certification?
There are two options available for Forklift Certification: in-person and online training. An in-person program requires workers to attend a class at a specific location, date, and time. Online forklift certification training gives workers the flexibility to complete their coursework on their smartphone, tablet, desktop, or laptop computer anywhere an internet connection is available.
3. Where can I get my forklift license?
A Forklift License is provided immediately following successful completion of a training program. With FLC’s program, your workers can quickly and easily download and print out their forklift license after they complete our program.
4. What are the different classes of forklifts?
Although the differences are subtle, the seven categories of forklifts are:
Class I: Electric Motor Rider Forklifts
Class II: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Forklifts (also called Reach Trucks or Order Pickers)
Class III: Electric Pallet Jacks, Stackers, and Tow Tractors
Class IV: Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts with Cushion Tires
Class V: Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts with Pneumatic Tires
Class VI: Electric Engine Combination Tow Tractors
Class VII: Rough Terrain Forklifts
5. Is forklift certification a requirement?
According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178, it’s mandatory for anyone operating a forklift to complete forklift certification training before they’re legally allowed to operate the equipment. If one of your employees is involved in an accident and you’re unable to provide training records verifying their training, OSHA can impose hefty fines and penalties. Keep in mind that employees are responsible for providing OSHA compliant training for all their workers who operate forklifts!
6. Can anyone earn forklift certification?
Workers must be at least 18 years old to become OSHA-compliant forklift operators.
7. Is forklift certification worth it?
Definitely! In terms of complying with OSHA regulations, as well as workplace safety and accident avoidance, our forklift training is well worth the small investment in time and money.
8. Where can I get OSHA-compliant forklift operator certifications for my employees?
That’s an easy one. When you choose ForkliftCertification.com, you’re just a few clicks away from registering your business and enrolling your lift operators. Our training courses are ideal for beginning drivers, veteran forklift operators, and everyone in between. Click here for more information on where to get forklift certification and why it’s important.
9. Is online forklift certification legitimate?
Absolutely! All of FLC’s online training and certification programs include the very latest OSHA requirements and other training information. As the fastest, most convenient and most affordable training, we’re the number one choice for any business or individual driver wanting to become OSHA compliant.
10. How long does forklift certification last?
Forklift operator certification is valid for three years from the date it was first issued or last renewed. Exceptions are when a driver is observed operating a forklift in an unsafe manner, or of there’s been a workplace accident involving a forklift, or when a new type of equipment is introduced, each of which will require refresher training sooner than three years. The good news is that when you or your workers are certified by ForkliftCertification.com. refresher and renewal training are free for life!
11. What’s involved in renewing a forklift operator certification?
As with our initial forklift operator training, FLC’s renewal training is fast and easy. When it’s time for your workers to renew their certifications they can log into the company account on our website and complete the online training. If your operators received their certifications through ForkliftCertification.com, renewal training is free for life!
12. What is FLC’s Train A Trainer Course?
Because it’s fast, easy and inexpensive, many employers are now choosing to have one or more of their experienced workers take FLC’s online Train A Trainer course to certify and evaluate the company’s current and future forklift operators. Our online training provides the convenience of always having an on-site trainer/evaluator available who’s experienced and well versed in the topics required by OSHA for forklift operator training.
13. When does forklift trainer certification expire?
It doesn’t. That means there’s no need to ever pay for renewing the company’s certified forklift operator trainer/evaluator. Because it’s free for life, trainers can take refresher training any time and as often as they like.
14. What does it cost to become a certified forklift instructor?
A lot less than you probably think! Our online forklift trainer certification program means you or one of your employees can be certified to train and evaluate your company’s other forklift operators in about an hour for just $149. Although our Train a Trainer certifications don’t expire, your certified in-house trainer can take the course whenever and as many times as they like.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET FORKLIFT-CERTIFIED
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