Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
A powered industrial truck or a forklift is a piece of heavy machine found in factories and in warehouses. They are utilized to transport and move bulk items which are very heavy to lift or carry manually. There is some particular training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Most employers prefer a degree in high school. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machinery it could be dangerous if not handled properly, hence, the driver's skills are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator has to have good judgment in order to estimate how much a load weighs. They have to be able to judge the height and width of the load so as to ensure that it will fit in a designed area. It is vital to have proper judgement to be able to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to capably drive the machinery in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Operator skills that come in handy are good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for example, if a stack of objects in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver should be able to respond quickly and try to solve the issue. In order to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when operating and working in the vicinity of these machinery.
Adaptability
Depending upon the task, amongst the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending upon each task, this can change on a continuous basis. Several forklift tasks need drivers to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous machinery, odors, loud noises or fumes. Work surroundings and warehouses can be busy places. The driver of the forklift must be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head overall. Furthermore, many forklift jobs require being outdoors to transport items or unload merchandise; hence, the driver must be ready at the possibility of working in bad climate.
Machinery Maintenance
Operators should be able to follow directions and understand how heavy equipment works. Operators should learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and can ensure that the steering, the horn, the lights, the brakes and the forks, along with other parts are working at an optimal level.
Forklift truck drivers need to also understand how to properly maintain the vehicles and have to know when something is not working correctly. An essential part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain machinery issues to mechanics.