| The OSHA rules state: "Prior to operating a truck in | | | | an adequate training program has been completed. |
| workplace, the EMPLOYER must evaluate the | | | | It's really quite simple. It only makes sense to |
| operators performance and determine the operator | | | | perform some kind of evaluation of the candidate in |
| to be competent to operate a powered industrial | | | | the workplace. Would you really let a person operate |
| truck safely" | | | | a forklift just because they wave their hand and say |
| OSHA and Temporary Employees OSHA has issued | | | | "I can operate a forklift" without ensuring that they |
| several letters of interpretation on the subject of | | | | actually have some experience. Of course. you |
| training of temporary employees. | | | | wouldn't. |
| 1. There could be a shared responsibility for assuring | | | | OSHA likes documentation. |
| operators are adequately trained. | | | | 2 steps to OSHA forklift safety compliance: |
| 2. The responsibility for training should be spelled out | | | | 1. The EMPLOYER must certify(document) that the |
| in contractual agreement between the two parties. | | | | operator has received THE training as described in |
| 3. The temporary agency may conduct initial general | | | | the standard covering forklift operations. The ropics |
| training and evaluation certification. | | | | are specific and simple. |
| 4. However, the host employer must provide | | | | 2. The EMPLOYER must provide proof (document) |
| site-specific information and training on the use of the | | | | that the operator has had a hands on evaluation that |
| particular types of lift trucks and workplace-related | | | | is site-specific and equipment-specific. |
| topics that are present in the workplace. | | | | Who can conduct the Hands On Evaluation? |
| Key Point The Hands On Evaluation is, arguably, a | | | | OSHA made this part easy - Training and evaluation |
| second layer of protection enabling the host | | | | must performed by a person with knowledge, training |
| employer and the temporary agency a secondary | | | | and experience to train powered industrial truck |
| physical means of determining if the candidate has | | | | operators and evaluate their competence. This means |
| the necessary knowledge, training and experience to | | | | that any reasonably experienced operator ban |
| operate a forklift safely in the workplace. It becomes | | | | become the Designated Evaluator for the host |
| apparent quickly during the Hands On Evaluation | | | | employer. Usually, the most experienced person, a |
| whether the candidate has actually operated a forklift | | | | supervisor, manager, or shift leader, as long as they |
| before. If the candidate fails this portion of the | | | | meet the above criteria. |
| evaluation they should not be placed into service until | | | | |