What does Forklift Certification mean?
You may have heard the terms, "forklift certification", "OSHA-certified" or "forklift license".
The employer must certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by the standard 29 CFR 1910.178
Training is defined as:
- Classroom or Interactive Instruction
- A test is required for certification
- Onsite Evaluation
- Demonstration of ability to operate the equipment you will be assigned to.
- Specific Safety Concerns at your workplace
- Documentation
- Name of operator
- Date of classroom instruction and onsite evaluation.
- Name of trainer
Many companies require documentation of forklift operator certification prior to accepting applications for forklift driving positions.
OSHA does not certify or require certification and there is no such thing as a license for driving a forklift.
Once an employee is hired, the company is required to conduct site-specific training before the employee is allowed on the forklift.
Re-training is required if there is a safety violation or incident.
OSHA requires specific training conducted by a qualified person and documentation of that training before the company issues a permit to operate the equipment.
Performance evaluations are required at a minimum of once every three years.