Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Driver
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machinery found in factories and in warehouses. They are utilized to move and transport bulk items that are very heavy to lift or carry by hand. There is some specific training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Nearly all employers prefer a high school degree. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it could be dangerous if not correctly handled, thus, the skills of the driver are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
The forklift operator needs to have good judgment to be able to estimate how much a load weighs. They have to be able to judge the height and width of the cargo so as to ensure that it would fit in a designed area. It is very essential to have proper judgement to be able to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the machine in reverse.
Reflexes and Concentration
Driver skills which come in handy are quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. Like for instance, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the operator must be able to quickly respond and try to rectify the problem. To be able to prevent mishaps, a high level of concentration is needed when operating and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Depending upon the job, among the top skills of a forklift driver is to be able to adapt to their specific work environment. Depending upon each job, this can change on a continuous basis. Some forklift jobs require drivers to be exposed to dangerous machinery, damaging materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Work atmospheres and warehouses can be very busy places. The driver of the forklift should be able to keep an eye toward safety and a cool head in general. Moreover, numerous forklift jobs require being outdoors to unload goods or move items; hence, the operator must be ready at the possibility of working in bad climate.
Machinery Maintenance
Drivers must be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy machine works. Operators should learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and could make sure that the lights, the steering, the horn, the brakes and the forks, along with other parts are functioning at an optimal level.
Forklift truck drivers have to also understand how to correctly maintain the vehicles and need to know when something is not functioning properly. An important part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain machinery issues to mechanics.