Employer - Training

Every worker that operates a lift truck must be adequately trained. According to the OHSA, Clause 25(2)(a), an employer must provide information, instruction, and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker. This includes designing and implementing an adequate training program for employees. An adequate training program, at minimum, covers the following topics:

• Basic principles of lift truck operation
  • Startup or shutdown according to specific lift truck
  • Starting, stopping and turning
  • Lift truck stability
  • Capacity plate and location
  • Ramps and grades
  • Forward and reverse driving
  • Use of lift trucks
  • Personnel lifting or lowering
  • Pedestrian safety
• Load handling
  • Load selection, security and integrity
  • Elevating and placing a load
  • Loading vehicles
  • Safety equipment and devices
• Operational maintenance
  • Refueling fixed propane tanks
  • Changing or inspecting removable propane cylinders
  • Charging and changing batteries on electric motor trucks
  • Condition reporting

Although training is meant to be comprehensive, technology and procedures are always changing. It is important for employers to provide ongoing training and refresher courses to employees working with lift trucks. Employees must undergo recertification at least every two years, or in the event of an accident caused by operator error. New or modified equipment and operating conditions require additional training as well. Written training materials should be developed and provided by the employer in order to provide workers with access to pertinent information. Employers are required to keep training records on file. Training records should be maintained for three years after the training is completed. If the employer hosts training more frequently, the most recent training records should be kept. Remember that simply completing training is not enough to be considered competent. After training, workers must demonstrate their acquired knowledge before being allowed to operate the equipment at a work site.

To learn more about Forklift Safety visit our Canada Forklift Safety Online Training web page.