Need to know what OSHA’s forklift trainer requirements are?
You’re in the right place.
Because we’ve put together the complete guide.
Keep reading to get the scoop on:
- What OSHA’s forklift trainer requirements are
- How to assess prospective forklift trainers within your organization
- All your options for forklift instructor training
- How to set up your own in-house forklift operator training program
- And lots more!
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- OSHA Forklift Trainer Requirements: A Simple List
- How to Develop Your Own Forklift Train-the-Trainer Program
- How to Assess Prospective Forklift Trainers
- How to Become a Certified Forklift Trainer: 6 Fundamentals Every Trainer Must Master
- 4 Key Benefits of In-House Forklift Operator Training
- Where to Find Forklift Instructor Training Courses
- Common OSHA Forklift Trainer Requirements Questions
OSHA Forklift Trainer Requirements: A Simple List
This is a simple list of what OSHA’s forklift trainer requirements and qualifications are:
- Know how to safely operate a forklift machine.
- Be familiar with different models of forklifts.
- Be able to read and interpret forklift data plates.
- Understand the different parts of a forklift.
- Be capable of identifying workplace hazards and how to avoid them.
- Understand OSHA warehouse safety measures and regulations.
- Be able to instruct team members and new hires about forklifts, health risks, and safety measures.
How to Develop Your Own Forklift Train-the-Trainer Program
Here are the 5 key steps to take to develop your own forklift train-the-trainer program that meets OSHA’s requirements:
- Know OSHA’s Rules: Before developing a trainer/operator training program, you should know the Federal and state OSHA standards for powered industrial trucks (PITs), including loading and unloading, refueling, reading data plates, and other relevant topics.
- Identify the Equipment and Operators: You’ll need to be clear on the various types of forklifts and other powered industrial trucks in your workplace. You’ll also need to know which employees will be operating them.
- Develop Your Operator Trainer Course Materials: Per OSHA, the program must include practical (hands-on) training to know whether or not the operator has the required experience. That will require that you develop comprehensive content for your trainer/operator training program.
- Provide for Employee Evaluation: This means observing the operator using the same type of forklift – and in the same working environment – as they will normally do. Again, only a certified trainer can provide an evaluation.
- Include Refresher Training for Operators: Each operator must undergo refresher training at least every 3 years. Refresher training is also required under several other conditions that OSHA specifies. Examples include when the operator has been involved in an incident or near miss, been observed driving in an unsafe manner, or if workplace conditions change.
How to Assess Prospective Forklift Trainers
OSHA requires that all forklift operators be properly trained and certified before they can operate heavy forklift truck equipment. This also applies to forklift trainers.
Employers are responsible for choosing competent forklift trainers. To do so, employers must be diligent in evaluating each candidate. This includes in 3 key areas:
- Teaching abilities.
- Practical skills evaluations.
- Documentation of training experience.
Let’s cover each in more detail.
Evaluate Teaching Aptitude and Abilities
Evaluating the hopeful trainer's teaching aptitude can include the following activities:
- Interviews.
- Observations.
- Trainee feedback.
- Sample lesson plans.
- Assessment of presentation and communication skills.
These methods can be used to evaluate the trainer’s teaching aptitude and how well they perform, given the opportunity to train forklift operators.
Test Practical Skills
Consider the hopeful forklift trainer’s comprehensive practical skills, which can include:
- Communication skills.
- Practical operating experience.
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations.
- Ability to operate forklifts safely and effectively in specific workplace conditions.
These skills are important in the practical operation of the forklift and the demonstration of the skills to the forklift operator trainees in the workplace.
Review Training Experience
The forklift trainer should demonstrate the ability to document training experience, including the following:
- Any certifications or courses they have completed related to forklift operation and training.
- Documentations of prior forklift training undertakings in other places.
- Any required licenses.
Trainers with a solid training background may be better equipped to effectively train forklift operators.
How to Become a Certified Forklift Trainer: 6 Fundamentals Every Trainer Must Master
To become a certified forklift trainer, you need to master the following 6 fundamental forklifts instructor requirements:
1. General Safety Guidelines
The trainer must be able to provide comprehensive training on forklift safety protocols, including:
- Hazard identification.
- Accident prevention.
- Forklift inspection.
- Forklift safety tips.
- Forklift operations management and problems.
- Knowledge of protective dressing or personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Why one must follow all safety regulations
The trainer must also be able to demonstrate these safety guidelines, knowledge, and skills to the forklift operators.
2. Teaching Best Practices
This section involves providing guidance on effective training methodologies, instructional techniques, and strategies for creating a safe and engaging learning environment.
As an instructor, the learning environment should be welcoming to the learners and support effective understanding and practice.
The trainer should prepare both theory learning and practical skills development sessions, such as learning about forklift lockout/tagout procedures.
The learning should be engaging and encourage trainers’ participation.
This may also include supporting the development of forklift operator safety training.
3. Lift Truck Operation
A forklift trainer must understand how to operate a forklift truck to the standard required and be able to demonstrate it to the hopeful operators.
This includes the fundamental principles and techniques of operating a forklift truck, including driving, safe maneuvering, load handling, and forklift controls. The training should involve classroom theory and a hands-on training evaluation tailored to particular lift trucks.
4. Federal and State OSHA Standards
OSHA provides federal forklift guidelines. There may also be state OSHA’s with their own forklift operation guidelines you’ll need to be aware of.
Forklift trainers should know the current regulations and customize training classes to ensure complete compliance with changing federal and state OSHA requirements.
The trainer must be able to ensure that trainers have a solid understanding of OSHA regulations related to forklift operations. These include compliance with OSHA standards 29 CFR 1910.178 (Powered industrial trucks) and 29 CFR 1926.602 (Material handling equipment).
5. Documentation Requirements
The trainer must demonstrate the ability to teach trainers about the necessary documentation, records, and reporting procedures related to forklift operations.
These can include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- Operator certifications.
- Pre- and post-operation inspections.
- Incident reporting procedures.
- Forklift safety instructions.
The trainer must also understand that the employer must document operator training and evaluation of the operator's performance while using the forklift.
Documentation ensures that the workplace has a reference for all occurrences and incidents, which can be traced to avoid future negative ones.
6. Operator Evaluation
OSHA says that each forklift operator's performance must be evaluated at least once every 3 years.
The trainer must train and evaluate operators on equipment and procedures specific to the company's operation and ensure OSHA compliance.
The forklift operator trainer must equip trainers with the skills to effectively:
- Evaluate forklift operators' performance.
- Assess their competence.
- Provide constructive feedback for improvement.
Operator evaluation also involves assessing the operator performing engine inspection, load picking, unloading, driving/traveling, parking, fueling or battery recharging, and more.
The trainer should also be able to demonstrate these skills in case an operator trainee requires it.
4 Key Benefits of In-House Forklift Operator Training
Forklift trainers are valuable to workplaces with various key benefits of in-house forklift operator training, including:
- Improve Safety: OSHA says as many as 70% of forklift accidents can be prevented with better training. With your own in-house forklift training program, you can go above and beyond to set your own high safety standards.
- Save Money: Using an in-house forklift operator training program means not having to pay a 3rd party each time a new hire needs training or an existing operator needs a refresher.
- Save Time: The training can be completed on a schedule prepared by the forklift operator trainer as works best for the operator, trainer, and employer. This can also help reduce disruptions and downtime.
- Gain Flexibility: You can adapt your training policies in-house according to your specific needs as an employer. For instance, you can set a specific day for new hire training or departmental training shifts.
Where to Find Forklift Instructor Training Courses
There are 2 basic options for forklift instructor training programs:
- Work with a local vocational or technical college that offers forklift train-the-trainer training
- Work with a 3rd-party training company.
Let’s discuss your options below.
Vocational or Technical College Forklift Trainer Certification
Some vocational or tech colleges offer forklift operator programs and forklift train-the-trainer courses or classes.
The advantage of going through these institutions is that you will be sure of a reputable certification.
The disadvantage is that they may be hard to find and inconvenient.
The easiest way to find out if a school in your area offers forklift trainer-the-trainer programs is:
- Find out through Google. First, google “tech schools + your city” or “tech schools near me.” This search will return every mention of the word “forklift” that occurs on the website. If nothing comes up, then they probably don’t have a training program.
- Call or visit the institutions to find out. Of course, you can always call them or walk into the institutions and ask if they offer forklift trainer courses.
3rd-Party Forklift Train-the-Trainer
A 3rd-party forklift operator training company can be a dealership or a staffing company/agency.
For example, some dealerships like Conger have forklift train-the-trainer courses.
The key advantage to going through a forklift dealership for training is that you know you’re getting quality instruction from folks who know and deal with forklifts.
To find them in your area, simply google “forklift train the trainer” + your city.
For example, if you live in Madison, Wisconsin, you’d search “forklift dealership Wisconsin” (without the quotes).
Then, browse through the results and see if they offer the training program you want.
Common OSHA Forklift Trainer Requirements Questions
What Is In-House Forklift Operator Training?
Simply put, in-house forklift operator training means the forklift training takes place at your business premise or workplace rather than an outside location.
The benefits of in-house forklift operator training include no travel or time away from work, and training on the same exact equipment as used in your workplace.
What Is Forklift Trainer Certification?
Forklift trainer certification is a program and process of learning how to safely operate a forklift and training others how to operate a forklift machine safely.
Forklift trainer certification also involves receiving documentation confirming your gained knowledge and skills to operate a forklift machine and being able to train others on forklift operation.
What Does a Forklift Trainer Do?
A forklift trainer is responsible for training forklift operators and other staff members about forklifts and forklift operation, including:
- Instruct new hires on how to safely operate forklifts.
- Evaluate forklift operators for certification.
- Recertify forklift operators when their forklift operator certifications require renewal.
- Support the maintenance of health and safety standards in the workplace, including teaching forklift operators how to avoid them.
- Learn new makes and models of forklifts and train operators about them for certification.
- Develop company operator training standards.
- Provide guidance on effective training methodologies, instructional techniques, and strategies in the company.
Does a Forklift Trainer Have to Be Certified?
OSHA says that “[a] qualified trainer would be a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who, by knowledge, training, and experience, has demonstrated the ability to train and evaluate powered industrial truck operators.”
Does OSHA Require That Employers Offer Operator Training?
OSHA does require employers provide their employees forklift operator training if they’ll be expected to operate a forklift as part of their job duties.
OSHA holds employers responsible for ensuring that their employees are competent, certified, and able to safely operate a forklift in the workplace under normal working conditions.
Is Forklift Operator Training Required for Each Forklift Type?
If a workplace’s forklifts are different, OSHA requires that operators are trained and certified in operating the different forklift types.
For example, going from a 3-wheel sit-down to a reach truck would require new training as they are sufficiently different enough. This ensures that operators can safely operate each forklift in the workplace under normal working conditions.
Who Can Train, Evaluate, and Certify Forklift Operators?
Anyone the employer certifies as competent and that meets the criteria in OSHA standard 1910.178(l)(2)(iii) can train, evaluate, and certify forklift operators.
Does OSHA Require Forklift Trainers to Be Certified?
Here’s what OSHA says:
“All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.”
Ultimately, the employer must possess the confidence that the trainer is competent to do their duties.
How Could an Employer Determine the Qualifications of Trainers?
OSHA states that “An example of a qualified trainer would be a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by knowledge, training, and experience, has demonstrated the ability to train and evaluate powered industrial truck operators.”
Can an Employer Certify Their Own Forklift Operators?
As long as the forklift instructor and the training program meet OSHA’s requirements, they can certify their own operators.
When Does Forklift Train-the-Trainer Certification Expire?
Forklift "train-the-trainer'' certifications don’t have expiration dates like a forklift operator certification does. That said, forklift trainers are expected to stay up to date with industry standards and regulations.
That’s it: Your complete guide to OSHA’s forklift trainer requirements.
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