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Steve Wilmes

Forklifts are a common tool utilized in the workplace.  They can make work easier and can be a lot of fun to operate when you do so safely.  This course will teach you how to stay safe when working around forklifts, how to inspect them and how to ensure that you keep everyone around you safe when operating. 

This course is intended to provide safety and health training in compliance with Federal OSHA and State OSHA training requirements such as CalOSHA. If you have questions, you may ask our instructors and they will respond to you with in a short period of time as is outlined by the OSHA standards.

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Forklifts are a common tool utilized in the workplace.  They can make work easier and can be a lot of fun to operate when you do so safely.  This course will teach you how to stay safe when working around forklifts, how to inspect them and how to ensure that you keep everyone around you safe when operating. 

This course is intended to provide safety and health training in compliance with Federal OSHA and State OSHA training requirements such as CalOSHA. If you have questions, you may ask our instructors and they will respond to you with in a short period of time as is outlined by the OSHA standards.

The training will cover all of the required elements outlined in Federal and State OSHA standards to ensure that your training meets or exceed the minimum required training. If your training has a time-requirement, the content of the training has been designed to meet that requirement.

The training is developed by our in-house, real trainers with twenty years of experience, working in the field and with real crews and is trusted by public agencies throughout California.

There are no prerequisites required for this course. The course will walk you through all of the elements required to be successful and complete any questions or quizzes or testing that may be required.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • What is a pit
  • What is a forklift
  • How to operate a forklift safely
  • Learn how to work safer when doing work related to this topic
  • Learn the relevant osha standards related to this topic
  • Increase your workplace safety and health skill set
  • Get certified and become more valuable in the workforce

Syllabus

Introduction
All About PITS
Instructions and Owners Manuals
PITS vs. Vehicles
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers OSHA standards, which ensures training aligns with regulatory requirements for workplace safety
Explores inspections, which are crucial for maintaining equipment and preventing accidents
Discusses PPE, which is essential for protecting operators and those working nearby
Examines stability, which is a key factor in safe forklift operation and load handling
Teaches about capacity, which is vital for preventing overloading and ensuring safe lifting practices
Requires learners to pass a final exam, which may require test-taking skills

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Reviews summary

Essential osha forklift certification training

Learners say this course is highly effective for meeting OSHA certification requirements. Students found the content clear and practical, particularly on topics like forklift inspection and workplace safety. The self-paced format and convenient access were frequently praised, making it easy to complete around work schedules. While some noted the material felt basic for those with prior experience or that presentation could be a bit dry, the consensus is that it thoroughly covers the necessary safety standards and is excellent value for getting certified. Instructor responses were seen as timely and helpful.
Easy to fit into busy schedules.
"It's self-paced and convenient."
"Completed it easily on my schedule."
"Good value for the money."
Content is easy to understand and apply.
"The videos were easy to follow..."
"Good overview of forklift safety. Very practical information."
"Course was straightforward, explained complex safety rules in simple terms."
"Excellent course! Very clear explanations, especially on stability and load capacity."
Effectively covers OSHA requirements.
"Great course! Covered all the OSHA requirements clearly."
"Needed this for work. Course was straightforward... Highly recommend for anyone needing certification."
"This course is exactly what it says it is. Covers everything needed for OSHA compliance."
"Provides all the mandatory training elements."
Can be dry or simple.
"...it felt a bit outdated."
"...but is quite dry. Lots of reading, videos are simple presentations."
"Effective for the goal, but not the most engaging format for me."
Some questions can be tricky.
"The final exam tested what was taught."
"The final exam had a few tricky questions not covered well in the modules."
"Had to re-watch some parts [for the exam] to be sure."
May be basic for experienced learners.
"Some sections felt a little basic if you have prior experience..."
"The content is okay for basics..."
"While it's comprehensive for compliance, it doesn't replace hands-on practice, obviously."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Forklift Certification Course with these activities:
Review Basic Physics Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of basic physics principles like force, mass, and gravity, which are crucial for understanding forklift stability and load capacity.
Browse courses on Physics
Show steps
  • Review online resources covering basic physics concepts.
  • Solve practice problems related to force, mass, and gravity.
Review Basic Physics Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of basic physics principles like force, mass, and gravity, which are crucial for understanding forklift stability and load capacity.
Browse courses on Physics
Show steps
  • Review online resources covering basic physics concepts.
  • Solve practice problems related to force, mass, and gravity.
Review OSHA Standards
Familiarize yourself with relevant OSHA standards to better understand the regulatory context of forklift operation.
Show steps
  • Visit the OSHA website.
  • Search for standards related to powered industrial trucks.
  • Read the relevant sections.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Review 'Forklift Safety: A Practical Guide'
Study a practical guide to forklift safety to gain a deeper understanding of safety protocols and best practices.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the chapters on pre-shift inspections and load handling.
  • Take notes on key safety procedures.
Forklift Inspection Checklist Practice
Reinforce your understanding of forklift inspection procedures through repetitive practice using a checklist.
Show steps
  • Download a sample forklift inspection checklist.
  • Inspect a forklift using the checklist.
  • Repeat the inspection several times.
Review 'The Forklift Manual'
Study a comprehensive forklift manual to gain a deeper understanding of forklift mechanics and operation.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the manual.
  • Read the sections on forklift components and operating procedures.
  • Take notes on key maintenance procedures.
Create a Forklift Safety Infographic
Solidify your knowledge by creating an infographic that visually summarizes key forklift safety concepts.
Browse courses on Workplace Safety
Show steps
  • Research key forklift safety topics.
  • Design an infographic layout.
  • Add text and visuals to the infographic.
  • Share the infographic with others.
Develop a Forklift Safety Training Module
Test and solidify your skills by developing a comprehensive training module on forklift safety.
Show steps
  • Outline the topics to be covered.
  • Create presentation slides or handouts.
  • Develop quizzes or assessments.
  • Practice delivering the training.
Volunteer at a Warehouse
Practice your forklift skills in a real-world setting by volunteering at a warehouse or distribution center.
Show steps
  • Contact local warehouses or distribution centers.
  • Inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Follow safety procedures and instructions.

Career center

Learners who complete Forklift Certification Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Materials Handler
Materials handlers use forklifts daily to move and organize goods within a facility, making this course a direct match. This role includes tasks such as loading, unloading, and transporting materials, all of which are made safer and more efficient with the knowledge gained in this course. The course ensures a materials handler is well-versed in safety protocols, regulations, and forklift operation. Those who wish to enter this field should consider this course because it focuses on the practical aspects of the job and provides certification.
Warehouse Associate
A warehouse associate frequently uses forklifts to move materials, making this course directly relevant. This role includes tasks like loading and unloading goods, organizing inventory, and ensuring safe material handling, all of which are enhanced by a deep understanding of forklift operation and safety as covered in this course. The course's lessons on inspections, safety protocols, and OSHA standards help one perform the job with competence and reduce risk. This course is especially helpful because it focuses on best practices when working around forklifts, not just operating them, a critical component for this role.
Material Handler
Material handlers frequently use forklifts to move and organize materials in a warehouse or factory. This course provides the necessary safety training and operational knowledge to ensure they handle materials effectively. The course equips a material handler with the knowledge about inspections, load management, and compliance with OSHA regulations. The course's emphasis on safe operation of forklifts makes it valuable for anyone who manages materials using this type of equipment. Material handlers are able to work more safely and efficiently after taking this course.
Distribution Center Worker
Distribution center workers often operate forklifts daily to move goods and manage warehouse flow. This course provides crucial training on safe forklift operation, including inspections, loading and unloading procedures, and adherence to OSHA standards. This ensures a distribution center worker can operate equipment safely and effectively. The course's focus on the practical safety elements of forklift usage makes it integral for those in distribution operations. This course helps a distribution center worker become proficient in handling equipment safely.
Manufacturing Associate
A manufacturing associate may be required to use forklifts for material handling in a factory. This course provides training on safe forklift operation, covering inspections, load management, and compliance with OSHA. This helps ensure the manufacturing associate can safely move materials within the facility. The course’s emphasis on safety when operating a forklift is particularly useful. This course is an important step toward being proficient with materials handling in the manufacturing space.
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
A shipping and receiving clerk handles the inflow and outflow of goods, often using forklifts, making training in forklift safety essential. This role's responsibilities include verifying shipments, managing inventory, and using forklifts safely to move materials. This course aids those in this role by ensuring that they are well-versed in the proper operation and safety measures for forklifts, as well as OSHA compliance. The course is especially useful for this role because it ensures they are qualified to handle materials using forklifts safely and efficiently.
Logistics Coordinator
Logistics coordinators oversee the movement of goods within a supply chain, and understanding forklift operations is vital for effective planning and safety. This role involves coordinating shipments, managing warehouse operations, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, making this course a perfect fit. The course's focus on OSHA standards, safe operating procedures, and knowledge of forklift types helps logistics coordinators manage their tasks and teams with a greater degree of competence. This course is beneficial because it helps you understand the practical aspects of daily logistics.
Construction Laborer
A construction laborer may at times operate a forklift to move materials and equipment on a construction site. This course provides detailed training on safe forklift operation, including inspections and safe loading practices that are crucial in a construction environment. The course helps a construction laborer adhere to OSHA standards, ensuring they can safely perform their duties around forklifts. With its focus on workplace safety and proper forklift techniques, this course is especially relevant for construction laborers who frequently work near or operate heavy machinery. The training provides essential guidelines for minimizing risk at the job site.
Retail Stock Associate
A retail stock associate sometimes uses forklifts to move and organize merchandise within a store or warehouse setting. This course provides the knowledge of safe forklift operation, focusing on inspection and safety protocols, that will ensure a retail stock associate can do their work safely. The course also emphasizes compliance with OSHA standards relevant to their duties. This course is especially helpful as it gives practical skills needed to work with forklifts in a retail setting. Training in safe forklift practices ensures both personal safety and protection of the goods.
Construction Worker
Construction workers often use forklifts to move heavy materials and equipment on job sites, so this course provides very applicable knowledge. A construction worker's duties involve site preparation, material handling, and adherence to safety protocols which are improved by a thorough understanding of forklift operation and safety as covered in this course. The course emphasis on inspections, safety, and load capacities helps construction workers perform their duties safely and effectively. This certification also helps by increasing a candidate's value in the workforce.
Inventory Specialist
Inventory specialists often use forklifts to organize and manage goods in warehouses or storage facilities, making this course highly relevant. This role involves tracking inventory, maintaining records, and ensuring the safety of workers and materials within a facility. The course's training on forklift safety, inspections, and operational understanding directly assists inventory specialists in performing their duties safely and effectively. The hands-on and practical approach to this course is beneficial because it provides real workplace application of the material.
Production Worker
A production worker may come into contact with forklifts as part of their daily operation moving materials. This course provides essential training on how forklifts operate, safety procedures , and OSHA compliance standards within a production environment. This training will help a production worker maintain a safe workplace around forklifts. The course is helpful for production workers who need to understand safety around equipment and material handling. This course gives a production worker useful practical knowledge on forklift operation.
Maintenance Technician
A maintenance technician may occasionally need to operate or work around forklifts while performing maintenance tasks. This course offers valuable training on the safe operation of forklifts and helps them understand relevant safety protocols. The training also includes compliance to OSHA standards, which is valuable for a maintenance technician. The course is useful for a maintenance technician who works in facilities where forklifts are in use. With the knowledge gained in this course a technician will be able to carry out their work more safely.
Equipment Operator
An equipment operator may operate various types of machinery, and this course is very useful when operating forklifts. This role involves handling different types of equipment while adhering to safety standards, and this course helps with a critical type of equipment. The course will help a new equipment operator understand the specific safety requirements and operational needs for forklifts. This course is especially beneficial because it provides an opportunity for certification and an understanding of OSHA compliance.
Supply Chain Analyst
Supply chain analysts work to optimize the flow of goods in a supply chain, and an understanding of processes involving forklifts can provide valuable insight into operational challenges. This role includes analyzing data, improving efficiency, and ensuring smooth operations, all of which benefit from practical knowledge of forklift operations. Although the analyst may not operate the forklift, the course material on safety, inspections, and operational procedures provides knowledge to make analysis more precise. While this role may require an advanced degree, this course may be useful due to its practical nature.
Production Supervisor
Production supervisors oversee daily activities in manufacturing or production environments, and this course may be helpful for ensuring workplace safety. This role includes managing teams, ensuring production goals are met, and maintaining safe work practices. The course emphasis on forklift safety, inspections, and OSHA standards helps a production supervisor create a safe and efficient workplace. The practical nature of this course makes it especially useful for this role as it provides an understanding of the actual work of materials handling.
Distribution Manager
Distribution managers oversee the flow of goods within warehouses and distribution centers, and knowledge of forklift operations is very useful for this role. This role includes managing logistics, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining safety protocols within a distribution center. The course on forklift safety, inspections, and proper operational practices helps distribution managers create a safe and productive workplace. The course focus on OSHA compliance is also relevant. This course may be useful due to its practical focus.
Facilities Manager
A facilities manager ensures the smooth operation of a facility, often including oversight of material handling, making this course relevant. A facilities manager's duties include maintaining infrastructure, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing operations for safety and efficiency. This course aids in understanding the practical and safety aspects of forklift operation. The training, which meets or exceeds the minimum standards outlined by OSHA, provides facilities managers another tool with which to manage their facilities.
Safety Inspector
Safety inspectors conduct safety audits to ensure compliance with standards, and knowledge about forklift operation from this course gives this role added insight. This role's goal includes identifying hazards and recommending improvements, and this course provides practical insight into one of the most common and potentially dangerous pieces of equipment. The course's emphasis on inspections, safety procedures, and OSHA standards is highly relevant for a safety inspector. This course may be useful in this role because of the practical knowledge it provides.
Safety Officer
Safety officers develop and implement safety programs in the workplace, and because forklifts are frequently involved in workplace incidents, this course is helpful. This role includes assessing risks, investigating accidents, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This course provides a safety officer with practical knowledge on forklift safety, inspection, and compliance. This course may be useful to a safety officer due to its focus on accident prevention in forklift operation.
Operations Analyst
Operations analysts examine business processes and procedures, and this course will provide some insight into materials handling. This role involves collecting data, making recommendations, and ensuring that processes are running effectively. The course provides relevant knowledge about forklift operations in the workplace. Because the course also covers OSHA standards in the material handling process, it may be helpful for an operations analyst in their analysis of workplace procedures.
Quality Control Technician
Quality control technicians monitor product quality, and this course may be helpful when part of the quality control process involves the movement of materials. This role includes inspecting products, documenting quality issues, and ensuring that production standards are maintained. The course provides insight into safe practices working with material moving equipment. While this role may not involve the daily operation of a forklift, this course may be useful when the position requires an understanding of material handling.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Forklift Certification Course.
Provides a comprehensive overview of forklift safety practices. It covers topics such as pre-shift inspections, load handling, and hazard identification. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding and implementing safe forklift operation procedures. It is useful as additional reading to supplement the course material.
This manual provides detailed information on forklift operation and maintenance. It covers topics such as forklift components, operating procedures, and troubleshooting. It useful reference for understanding the technical aspects of forklift operation. It is valuable as additional reading to supplement the course material.

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