You will need to pass a written examination and a practical assessment in order to obtain a forklift license. You have to know how to safely operate a forklift as these are powerful industrial machines that have to be operated to ensure a safe workplace. There can be many injuries resulting from poor operation of a forklift along with damage to property.

In forklift licence training you will first be able to familiarise yourself with the forklift. The instructors will teach the trainees about the different components of the forklift and its controls. Some of the components they will learn about are the engine of the forklift and the power sources along with the steering mechanism and controls. There is a hydraulic system to raise and lower the forks and the trainees will learn how this works. The load capacities of different forklifts will be considered along with the load centre. And most importantly, the safety features of the forklift will be discussed such as the seatbelt, lights and horn.      The trainees will learn how to carry out a pre-operation inspection to ensure that the forklift is in the right working condition. They have to check these aspects before they operate the forklift to ensure workplace safety.

Some of the tasks

In inspection will be checking fluid levels whether it is oil fuel, hydraulic fluid etc., checking tyres and tyre pressure, assessing the steering and controls along with brake function. They  will have to check if the lights and signals are working properly. The attachments to the forklift will be inspected. The safety features will be evaluated. The pre-operation inspection allows you to identify potential issues so that these can be addressed immediately. There are various loads that forklift operators will need to handle and these load handling skills will be covered in training. The trainees will learn how to approach a load or pallet and secure it to lift. They will learn how to position the forks properly. Once this is done, the loads have to be safely lifted and lowered using the hydraulic controls of the forklift. All this has to be done while maintaining stability of the machine.

After the trainees learn these skills,

They will learn how to manoeuvre a forklift while there is a load on the forks. They will practice driving forwards, turning the forklift and reversing. Load placement is also important as they need to ensure the load is not damaged in the process. Learning proper load handling skills are required to prevent accidents and damage to property and goods. This will also help prevent injuries in the workplace. There are many steering and manoeuvring techniques that will be taught in practical training so that a forklift operator is able to handle tight spaces and go around obstacles without an issue. You need to master these techniques to navigate a busy workplace safely. To ensure pedestrian safety if you are sharing the workspace with pedestrians, the trainees will be taught to communicate properly using verbal signals, lights and horns.