Victoria Forklift License - Within North America, acquiring forklift certification or a forklift license involves hands-on and classroom training. Regulatory control over licensing, certification and training for powered industrial truck operators falls under the jurisdiction of state, provincial and federal groups. Operators may acquire a license either through training administered by the employer or by a third party. Regardless, regulatory requirements must be met. Recertification is needed every two to three years.
Forklifts are powered industrial trucks that come along with a variety of alternatives, like for example stand-up and sit-down. There are different sizes and types of forklift suitable for different industrial applications. Operator training courses are often individualized to deal with the specific uses and kinds for which the operator is training. Training on a gas-powered, sit-down lift truck in a warehouse setting would not be the same as training on a propane-powered, stand-up forklift within a shipyard. The various lift trucks and their applications makes it impossible to establish universal licensing requirements for all equipment and businesses. Regulatory standards, thus, have a tendency not to concentrate on specific course requirements but instead on the results of individual training courses.
Employer-provided, on-the-job training is the most common way for operators to be given their forklift certification or license. This method of certification needs the employer to provide classroom sessions and practical training on machinery in the workplace. Employers may choose to train staff on every type of forklift separately, or to train them on all machines combined. The course incorporates lift truck operation procedures, company policies, forklift maintenance and safety measures. Topics specific to the worksite, like hazardous materials or conditions, should be covered. Following classroom learning, operators are taught how to safely operate and utilize each type of forklift on the worksite.
When using a third party trainer, the certification process will usually consist of an on-site component together with hands-on practice.
It should be noted that certifications provided by an employer do not transfer from one employer to the next. Acquiring a forklift license through employer-provided training permits the operator to operate a lift truck for that employer only.
Forklift safety would always be an important factor of the forklift license training, though the particulars of the safety training will be dependent upon the equipment being utilized. Some safety problems would differ for every industry and employer. Both third-party providers and employer-provided training may have to deal with extra requirements for safety training in applicable businesses, like in marine and offshore operations.