What will forklift training teach me?

Various forms of forklifts and excavators are one of the most common machines in any industrialised country. They are used in almost every facet of industrial and commercial business, and are even common in certain residential situations. Below is an overview of some of the types and benefits of forklift training courses and what they cover.

Factory or warehouse training

These are the most common jobs that people think of when they consider the uses of a forklift, and the most commonly trained for. Whether working in a manufacturing plant, a warehouse, or a commercial situation, the main concern for these courses is forklift safety in high traffic and generally confined areas. Basic machine operations, negotiating tight spaces, awareness of doorways and blind corners, and load balancing are all emphasised, along with general maintenance and upkeep of the particular machine that is being used.
This will most likely include procedures for changing fuel tanks or charging batteries, and may include moving or changing the fork attachment.

Outdoor or rough terrain

Outdoor and rough terrain training have many similarities to warehouse training, but with the added difficulty of needing to negotiate with much more challenging areas than a warehouse floor. Additionally, the machines being used are generally somewhat more complex and powerful. People working on construction sites, farms, and large industrial complexes will most likely encounter these types of machines and situations, and having excavator and rough terrain training will make it much easier and safer to manoeuvre loads and negotiate obstacles. Again, maintenance and upkeep should be part of the training, and, due to the more complex nature of the machine being used, should probably go into greater detail.

In closing

While moving a box of pillows across a warehouse with a small electric forklift may not sound like it has much in common with using a diesel excavator to move a tonne of cement blocks along the edge of a steep embankment on a construction site, the basic concept is the same. Moreover, having a forklift licence in either field will go a long way towards qualifying a person for the other position also. Both situations are, after all, simply driving a forklift in a safe and efficient manner. The versatility of the machine and the training make it a great choice for anyone who has the opportunity to take advantage of it.