How To Get Forklift Certified in Buffalo and Western New York
All forklift operators are required to be certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). An operator can be trained by attending a course at a trade school, or they can be certified by a trainer at their place of employment or other training facility. The guide on how to get forklift certified in Buffalo requires five simple steps.
Step One: Find an Instructor
To become a certified forklift operator, one could attend one of our courses. Or businesses can become certified to train individuals as well through our train a trainer program. JIT Toyota-Lift has instructors that can go to a place of business or employees can be sent to JIT for training for both the classroom and hands-on training.
Step 2: Classroom Training
Classroom training focuses on safety concerns and regulations of operating a forklift as well as legislation and penalties for improper use of the machine. If the classroom portion of the training is done at the place of business, there are several things that are needed for on-site training. These include having a meeting place big enough to fit the number of trainees, a place to show video such as a TV or projector, a white board, chalk board, or other material for the instructor to write on, pre-shift checklists for operators which are a requirement of OSHA, protective equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, and hard hats, and the location of eyewash stations, first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
Step 3: Written Exam
Classroom training lasts approximately four hours. After class, an written exam is administered which employees must pass.
Step 4: Hands-on Training
After the written exam, hands-on training and practice on a forklift is required followed by a practical exam. Operators must show that they know the proper use of the forklift’s controls, like how to lift and lower materials, and they must show practical knowledge of safety regulations.
Step 5: Certification
Once a trainee has taken a course by a certified trainer and passed both the written and practical exam, they can be issued a certification card immediately. Certification is valid for three years after which one must renew their certification.
As long as an individual or company gets the proper training from a certified instructor and follows OSHA guidelines, the process of becoming a forklift operator in Buffalo, NY does not have to be an arduous process.
For more information, please feel free to contact us.