Forklift Certification
So why would someone need to be certified to drive a forklift? Forklifts come in many sizes and are used all over the world in almost any type of business you can think of. Forklifts can be as large as a truck and a small as a all-terrain vehicle. Being able to drive a forklift quickly and safely is important to keeping the employees and the business safe and running smoothly. Safety is always paramount in most companies especially in fast-paced industries such as manufacturing, ship yards, docks and construction sites. Forklifts help companies to move large heavy objects from place to place quickly and efficiently, being able to do this without causing damage to what is being moved or other employees is critical to maintain a smooth running workplace. Many insurance companies that insure these types of industries require the people using the forklifts can do so in a safe manner. Federal safety inspections by OSHA also can require certified forklift drivers to maintain a safe working environment. Fines up to $7000 per employee can be levied against the company if the forklift drivers do not have the proper training or certification.
What do forklift drivers do?
As stated before, forklifts are used in companies and constructions sites all over the world. Forklifts allow the workers to lift heavy objects up to 45 feet in the air with ease and safety. A good forklift driver can move more equipment or product then 20 men can do by hand and in less time. Forklifts can also lift many times what a human can and they can do it over and over without getting tired. Forklifts can be found in factories, warehouses, loading docks, shipyards, manufacturing facilities, orchards, farms, construction sites and many other places. Forklift drivers learn how to judge the loads, lift them properly, and set down heavy object with ease. Forklift drivers in some places must work around other workers were walking or doing other tasks without hurting anyone or what they are carry. Some factories can be very fast-paced, moving quickly and efficiently is an absolute must.
How much can you make?
Forklift operators that are not certified can make between minimum wage to $10 an hour. Certified drivers can make between 10 and $16 an hour depending upon the industry they work in and how much experience they have. Some companies may require a certification before they hire you at all, it may also be required by OSHA or their insurance company.
Where can I get training?
Training to be certified forklift driver is really a hands-on job. In most major cities there are technical schools or centers set up specifically to train forklift drivers for the industries in their area. Always look for a technical school or training center that is OSHA certified to make sure that you learn all that you need to know to do the job safely and efficiently. Some large companies may even run in-house schools to train their drivers and make sure they’re certifications stay current.
Forklift driver jobs outlook?
The outlook for forklift drivers really varies from place to place and also is based upon the economy. While being a certified forklift driver can be a great place to start it most likely will not be a full-time career. Many industries have up and down times and will require drivers if business is good and busy and in less drivers and businesses down or very slow. Becoming a certified forklift driver is a good stepping stone towards learning other skills to make you a value important employee.