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Forklifts are used in warehouse jobs, construction work,
agriculture and elsewhere to move heavy objects. To become a forklift instructor
and teach others how to operate a forklift, you first need to know how to drive
and operate a forklift safely. To operate a forklift in the United States, you
must be trained and certified in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) standards. It is illegal in the U.S. for anyone to operate
a forklift who is not trained and certified or who is younger than 18 years old.
There is no formal certification required to train others to use a forklift.OSHA
does give guidelines for forklift trainers. The organization's standard related
to forklift training states, "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." If you
currently drive a forklift as part of your job or have in the past and are still
certified, then you have the foundation you'll need to become a forklift
instructor. Teaching skills also will help you to become a forklift instructor.
You can learn how to train others to operate a forklift and gain teaching skills
by attending train-the-trainer classes for forklift trainers. These classes can
be found through forklift manufacturers, your local OSHA office, online and in
the yellow pages of your telephone book. Attending train-the-trainer classes can
help you determine whether someone you have trained has achieved the necessary
skills to operate a forklift independently. The courses will teach you how to
evaluate the driving abilities of employees you train and the process for
certifying them. If you want to become a forklift instructor, speak to your
employer to find out if there is a need for employees to be trained in forklift
operations. If there is a need for people to be trained, you might wish to
volunteer for the job of putting together a training and certification program
at your place of employment. You also can approach companies that provide
train-the-trainer classes to see if they have job openings for forklift
instructors. Having current certification and a clean safety record as a
forklift operator will help you find work training others to drive forklifts.
Having good overall communication and speaking skills as well as leadership
ability also will help you become a forklift
instructor. |
