![OSHA.com Online OSHA Training [logo]](/themes/custom/osha/dist/img/Logo_Main_ExportasSVG.svg "OSHA.com Online OSHA Training"){kind=logo}
Posted on: January 9, 2025
Forklift Operator FAQs: How to Get Forklift Certified
Knowing how to operate a forklift is a critical skill in many industries, from construction and warehousing to manufacturing and retail. But before you can climb behind the wheel, you'll need to meet one essential requirement: forklift certification. Not only is it a legal necessity, but it’s also a vital step to ensuring workplace safety and opening doors to better job opportunities.
In this guide, we’ll break down why getting certified is important and explain how you can get forklift certified.
How To Get A Forklift License
Actually, there isn't a specific "forklift license" issued by a government agency like a driver's license.
Instead, you obtain a forklift certification through a training program provided by a certified training provider. This certification verifies that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to operate a forklift safely. It's a requirement for many workplaces to ensure safety and compliance with any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
What Are a Forklift Operator's Responsibilities?
Forklift operators transport heavy materials around a facility like a warehouse, factory, storage facility, or construction site using a powered industrial truck like a lift truck.
That includes tasks like:
- Moving, stacking, and organizing heavy merchandise or materials safely
- Safely loading and unloading shipment trucks and other vessels
- Executing basic equipment maintenance, including regular inspections and lubrication
- Identifying and reporting equipment malfunctions to supervisors
- Adhering to OSHA and other safety and health standards to ensure a safe work environment
What Are The Most Important Qualities In A Forklift Operator?
Since operating a forklift is dangerous, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) makes it federally illegal for a minor to operate, work around, or interact with a powered industrial truck.
You need certain physical abilities as well, such as the ability to lift, sit, stand, move, squat, walk, and climb repeatedly during a shift.
Previous warehouse experience, attention to detail, great communication and organization skills, and mechanical aptitude are also excellent qualities in a forklift operator.
What Are OSHA's Regulations For Forklifts?
OSHA's forklift regulations can be found under 29 CFR 1910.178. It's known as the Powered Industrial Truck Standard.
How Often Should Operators Inspect Their Forklift?
OSHA regulation §1910.178(q)(7) says that forklifts should be examined before they're placed into service, at least daily. When a forklift operates around the clock, it needs to be examined after each shift.
Forklifts shouldn't be placed into service if you find any adverse condition that will affect the safety of the vehicle. Defects should be immediately reported and corrected.
What Must Be Done Daily Before Using A Forklift?
While daily inspections are required by OSHA, there's no specific forklift safety checklist to follow.
In fact, you aren't even required to document the inspection, though it's a good idea. Documentation ensures that all features are checked routinely. Should something go wrong, you'll have a way to show the OSHA inspector that you've put in an effort.
In some jurisdictions, you may require a forklift safety checklist, though. Cal/OSHA requires safety inspection logs to be kept for one year.
How To Become Forklift Certified
The process can vary depending on the provider, but generally, forklift certification is a formal training and evaluation process that ensures individuals operating forklifts possess the necessary skills and knowledge to do so safely. This certification is typically required by employers to comply with OSHA regulations.
Key components of forklift certification training include:
- Forklift operation: Learning how to safely operate different types of forklifts, including electric and gas-powered models.
- Load handling: Understanding how to properly load, transport, and unload materials using forklifts.
- Safety procedures: Adhering to safety protocols, such as wearing appropriate safety gear, inspecting the forklift before use, and avoiding hazards.
- Pre-operational inspection: Checking the forklift for any defects or malfunctions before operation.
- Emergency procedures: Knowing how to respond to emergencies, such as a forklift tipping over or a fire.
By obtaining forklift certification, individuals demonstrate their commitment to safety and their ability to operate forklifts responsibly.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Forklift Certification?
In the United States, you must be at least 18 years old to operate a forklift. This is a federal regulation set by OSHA.
To obtain a forklift certification, you'll need to complete a training course and pass a written and practical exam. The minimum age requirement of 18 years old applies to both the training and the certification process.
Where Can I Get My Forklift Certification Near Me?
If you're wondering where to get a forklift certification, you're in luck. Many providers actually offer these courses online, making it convenient to learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home. This means you can take a forklift certification course "near you" no matter where you live.
How To Get OSHA Forklift Certified
There's no single, universal "type" of forklift certification recognized by OSHA. Instead, OSHA outlines specific standards for forklift operator training, which must cover various types of forklifts.
Different types of forklifts require specific training and certification. These types are categorized based on their power source, tire type, and intended use. Some common types include:
- Stand Up Forklift
- Sit Down Forklift
- Articulated Boom Truck (Knuckle Boom)
- Boom Truck (Stiff Boom Crane)
- Electrical Pallet Jack Training
- Overhead Crane
- Pedestal Mounted Crane
- RT Crane (Rough Terrain)
When you get forklift certified, you'll typically receive a certification that specifies the class or classes of forklifts you're qualified to operate. This is because each class has its own unique operating characteristics and safety considerations.
How Do I Get My Forklift Certification?
Your personal experience getting your forklift certification can vary depending on which provider you choose, but here's a general breakdown of how to get forklift certified:
1. Enroll in a Certified Training Program
- Find a reputable provider: Look for OSHA-authorized providers such as OSHA.com.
- Choose a training format:
- In-person training: This involves classroom instruction and hands-on training with a certified instructor.
- Online training: This allows you to learn at your own pace, but often requires a hands-on evaluation component.
- Blended learning: Combines online and in-person training for a flexible approach.
2. Complete the Training
- Classroom instruction: Learn about forklift safety regulations, operating procedures, and emergency procedures.
- Hands-on training: Practice operating a forklift under the supervision of a certified instructor.
3. Pass Any Course Exams
- Course quizzes: Test your knowledge of forklift safety regulations, operating procedures, and emergency procedures.
- Final exam: Demonstrate your ability to safely operate a forklift, including pre-operational inspections, loading and unloading, and maneuvering.
Once you successfully pass the final exam, you will receive your certificate of completion.
Where Can I Get My Forklift Certification?
Getting your forklift certification is a big step towards improving your career prospects and ensuring workplace safety. By following these steps and choosing a reputable training provider, you can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to operate forklifts safely and efficiently.
So, where can I get a forklift certification? Right here at OSHA.com! As an OSHA-authorized training provider, we offer self-paced online training in OSHA's forklift requirements. Just pick the type of forklift you'll be driving: stand-up forklift, sit-down forklift, aerial/scissor lifts, and more.
That will take care of your formal training portion. You'll get a certificate of completion, then your employer will need to complete the practical training and evaluation steps.
Articulated Boom Truck (Knuckle Boom) - Operator Safety Course Online
Sit Down Forklift - Operator Safety Course Online
Stand Up Forklift - Operator Safety Course Online
What Are The Most Important Qualities In A Forklift Operator?
First of all, you need to be over 18. Since operating a forklift is dangerous, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) makes it federally illegal for a minor to operate, workaround, or interact with a powered industrial truck.
You need certain physical abilities as well, such as the ability to lift, sit, stand, move, squat, walk, and climb repeatedly during a shift.
Previous warehouse experience, attention to detail, great communication and organization skills, and mechanical aptitude are also excellent qualities in a forklift operator.
What Are OSHA's Regulations For Forklifts?
OSHA's forklift regulations can be found under 29 CFR 1910.178. It's known as the Powered Industrial Truck Standard.
How Often Should Operators Inspect Their Forklift?
OSHA regulation §1910.178(q)(7) says that forklifts should be examined before they're placed into service, at least daily. When a forklift operates around the clock, they need to be examined after each shift.
Forklifts shouldn't be placed into service if you find any adverse condition that will affect the safety of the vehicle. Defects should be immediately reported and corrected.
What Must Be Done Daily Before Using A Forklift?
While daily inspections are required by OSHA, there's no specific forklift safety checklist to follow.
In fact, you aren't even required to document the inspection, though it's a good idea. Documentation ensures that all features are checked routinely. And should something go wrong, you'll have a way to show the OSHA inspector you've put in an effort.
In some jurisdictions, you may require a forklift safety checklist, though. Cal/OSHA requires safety inspection logs to be kept for one year.
How Many Truck Lengths Between Forklifts?
According to §1910.178(n)(1), OSHA requires roughly three truck lengths between forklifts for safety.
What Is the Recommended Speed For Forklifts Operating Within A Manufacturing Facility And Warehouse?
OSHA doesn't specifically recommend a safe operating speed in its forklift requirements.
The regulations do say that forklifts should be operated at a speed that will permit them to stop safely, and that speed should be reduced to a safe level while negotiating turns.
Some factors in determining a safe speed are relatively static for a single piece of equipment, like the type of truck, the manufacturer's limitations, and the load being carried.
Others vary from day to day or moment to moment, like the load, operating surface conditions, and amount of pedestrian traffic.
A forklift operator needs to adjust their speed to account for all of these things to drive safely.
Do Powered Industrial Trucks Have To Have Backup Alarms Or Warning Lights?
In a letter of interpretation on the subject, OSHA said that while these features aren't specifically required by the OSHA standard, if you fail to use them you may be in violation anyway via the General Duty clause.
Under the General Duty clause, employers have a responsibility to use feasible means to abate the exposure to known hazards. Alarms and warning lights are considered by the industry to be feasible ways to abate the struck-by, caught-between, and crushing hazards that forklifts present.
Does OSHA Require Forklifts To Have Fire Extinguishers?
OSHA has no specific requirement for a forklift fire extinguisher. However, the powered industrial truck standard requires that electrical and gas-powered units have "minimum acceptable safeguards against inherent fire hazards."
If a forklift fire extinguisher is installed, you need to inspect the portable extinguisher monthly and conduct an annual maintenance check to comply with §1910.157(e).
How Do You Get Forklift Certified?
OSHA's forklift regulations require operators to be certified by employers through training and evaluation.
What Forklift Training Do You Need?
To earn your forklift certification, you need two types of training, followed by an evaluation. That includes:
- Formal instruction (like eLearning) on a series of topics specified in the standard
- Practical training, including demonstrations followed by practical exercises.
- Evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace
Once these steps are completed to the satisfaction of the trainer, your employer can certify your competence.
A few caveats: the training needs to apply to the type of truck the trainee will be operating. Training and evaluation need to be conducted by someone with the necessary knowledge, training, and experience. Trainees can only operate a forklift under direct supervision and only when it doesn't endanger the trainee or other employees.
When Do Forklift Operators Need Refresher Training?
OSHA requires refresher training for forklift operators when the operator:
- Has been observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner
- Has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident
- Has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely
- Is assigned to drive a different kind of truck, or
- A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe truck operation.
The requirements for forklift refresher training are essentially the same as initial training, including both training and evaluation phases.
How Often Should A Forklift Operator Be Evaluated?
Evaluation is a part of initial and refresher training, but OSHA also requires a forklift operator's performance to be evaluated in the workplace at least once every 3 years.
Where Can You Get Forklift Training?
As an OSHA-authorized training provider, we offer self-paced online training in OSHA's forklift requirements. Just pick the type of forklift you'll be driving: stand-up forklift, sit-down forklift, aerial/scissor lifts, and more.
That will take care of your formal training portion. You'll get a certificate of completion, then your employer will need to complete the practical training and evaluation steps.
