Why Safety Training Is Through Your Employer

Learn about the benefits of employer-provided training, including how it ensures compliance with OSHA regulations and addresses the specific hazards of your workplace. This approach helps create a safer environment tailored to your company's operations.

Forklift safety training with operator and trainer on Toyota reach truck.

"Why is forklift safety training provided through my employer, and why can't I obtain an operator license directly through your class?"

As a provider of forklift, aerial lift, and skid steer safety training classes, ProLift is often asked these questions by job seekers. Having the employer ultimately responsible for providing training is a benefit to the employee and company.

Site-Specific Forklift Training

Employers are required to meet OSHA’s guidelines for operator safety training, which includes site-specific training. Being on-site lets a trainer become familiar with the employer’s facility and address specific hazards that may not be common topics such as driving over railroad tracks or traveling on inclines.

Equipment Make And Model

Equipment also varies at each company by manufacturer or model. Employees need an overview of the equipment to learn what steps to take in case of an emergency, how each lever operates, etc.

Employer Authorization

After attending forklift or aerial lift safety training, it's the employer who gives final approval for the employee to operate equipment in the facility. Completing the class alone isn't enough to earn an operator wallet card, as ongoing safety commitment is required. Given the weight of this equipment, even minor accidents can cause significant damage to dock doors, racking, and product, and can result in serious pedestrian injuries or fatalities.

Safety training class for a forklift operator being conducted by a trainer.

Safety Training Classes

Continue promoting safety at your facility with our comprehensive safety training classes. ProLift offers training for both operators and trainers. Contact our safety specialist to schedule your team.

Hands-On Forklift Training

ProLift encourages employers to provide practice time for newly hired employees. Even (2) hours of hands-on practice with damaged goods or stacks of pallets provides a more confident and capable operator as compared to someone who operated outside the normal application a few minutes under the trainer’s eye. This effort is especially encouraged when the employee is a new operator.

After training, regular monitoring of operators may also decrease abuse, damage and injury. Observation of equipment operation lets an employer quickly address reckless driving or areas in the warehouse vulnerable to hazards. Accidents, including near misses, should be addressed quickly for root cause, re-training and disciplinary action, when needed.

Rely on ProLift to help you train new equipment operators and refresh long-time operators.