There are only 2 predominant reasons people are looking to get Forklift Training. The first you want to get a forklift ticket and get a job. The second is that you, as a forklift operator, or your company are looking to get a refresher. Most companies that get refreshers for their forklift operators do so every 12 - 18 months and are usually done in bulk.
Now while there are only 2 predominate reasons people get Forklift Training, there are a number of different forklift training organisations and courses. So what should you look for?
Well, the great thing is now matter which state you live in, Australia has a national standard for load shifting equipment that covers forklift licences. This means that once you are trained, assessed and licenced you can operate a forklift in any state of Australia without weight restriction or limitations. Yes, you got it, a licenced person operate a forklift from 1 ton to largest available carrying up to 80 tons.
All forklift licence training and assessment must meet the national standards. Some providers of training are better than others so you should select your training organisation carefully - and hopefully we can help making that choice easier.
Forklift Refresher Training for Experience Forklift Operators We’ll start with the “less involved” training, namely forklift operator refresher training. “Less involved” is not necessarily the most appropriate term as a forklift driver who is going back for refresher training has already long earned their stripes through years of forklift operation and training already.
Refersher training is can run from a few hours to 2 days. To ensure that you or your company meet the current legislative regulations always take the training where you feel confident that the training will succinctly cover all the mandatory requirements. You don’t want to be held responsible for something that should have been covered in the training.
To attended an experienced forklift operator training (in addition to the mandatory requirements to hold a licence) it is a must that you be able to provide evidence of your experience. This proof can be by way of logbook, assessment summary or statement of attainment from a registered training organisation. Forklift Training For The Inexperienced (or Want to Start From Scratch) These courses are open to anyone who wants to attend no matter what your level of experience is. That said, they are predominately aimed at people who have little to no experience.
The forklift training will usually cover:
Forklift Operation Theory
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation and Compliance
Operational and Site safety
Pre and Post Forklift Operation Checks
Correct Procedures for Forklift Operations
Use of Personal Protective Equipment
Working in Pallet Racking System
Completing the Forklift Training Logbook
Full Theory Assessment
Full Practical Assessment
Some bonuses material might also include Training DVDs.
Depending on the course, it might be broken into formal training with a component of continued on the job training under the supervision of a licenced workplace supervisor. When the person undertaking the training is prepared for assessment, has completed the forklift training log book and the supervisor is confident with the learners ability on the job the learner can make arrangements for assessment.
Forklift Training Centres Most forklift training companies have the option to of providing training onsite at your organisation (should your organisation be equipped) or at the training company’s own site.
There are benefits to both, however, to get onsite training at your organisation you will usually have to have 6-8+ people to go through the training at the one time. You will also have to have the facilities available for both the theory and practical portions of the training. To check to see if you meet the registered training organisations requirements for onsite training simply give them a call or drop them an email.
Under going training at the registered training organisations site takes away any need to worry about what to have or not have available when the trainer turns up. They have all the necessary facilities for conducting theory and will have a well setup area for all practical demonstrations, practice and assessment. The only challenge you have is getting yourself (or the people you booked in) to the location at attend the training.
Forklift Training Assessment There are 2 components to forklift training assessment - theory and practical.
The theory assessment (in Queensland) consists of a 97 question closed book assessment. So no notes are allowed. The answers are to be written in English and you have a maximum of 2 hours to complete it. Oh and you have to get all of the questions correct to pass - yes, 100%. If your forklift training is adequate you should have little trouble in passing even though the pass mark is 100%.
The practical assessment will consist of you:
Undertaking a detailed preoperation check
Identifying hazards in the work area
Plan work
Negotiation obstacles
Demonstratinging safe operations at all times
Correct parking and security
Shifting loads and racking / stacking in line with the National Load Shiftin Standard
Once again a 100% pass mark is required.
Once you have successfully completed your forklift training and assessment you will get 2 copies of your forklift licence assessment summary. This will usually be mailed to you or your organisation within a couple of weeks. Once you have your copies of your assessment summary simply lodge your forklift licence application at any participating Post Office (in Queensland) … and keep the other as an interim authority to operate a forklift until your forklift licence arrives.
For forklift training in Queensland and especially forklift training in Brisbane - your best bet is to check out AIMM Training.
Forklifts are unstable by design. They have no springs and even four wheel counterweighted forklifts only have
three point suspension.
The two rear wheels are attached in the centre to the main body of the machine allowing the rear to hinge
sideways affecting the lateral (sideways) stability of the machine. All forklifts have a high centre of gravity
and a narrow wheel base which adds to their lateral
instability.
Forklifts have three point suspension formed from the front drive axle (a & b) and the steering axle point at the rear
of the base (c). Be aware of the factors listed below which can affect lateral instability:
turning at speed
driving over uneven surfaces
an unevenly distributed load
driving with a flat or under inflated tyre
driving too fast
travelling with the load raised
braking too hard when turning
side shift not centred
lifting a load on one fork armdriving sideways across a slope
dragging (snigging) a load sideways with a jib
attachment.
The front wheels of forklifts act as a fulcrum with the forks on one side and the machine body on the other. If the weight at the fork ends is heavier than the counterweight it will cause the forklift will tip up (longitudinal instability).
Be aware of the factors listed below which can affect the forklift to tip (longitudinal instability):
overloading
severe braking
incorrect use of the mast tilt (especially with the load carried at a higher level)
load not positioned against the heel of the fork arms
shifting the load centre forward
dragging (snigging) a load in from the front with the jib attachment fitted
lifting a load with a jib with the mast tilted forward
Forklifts transport and stack materials. They are a short wheel based truck with a vertical mast.
There are two types, counterbalanced and noncounterbalanced forklift.
Counterbalanced Forklift Counterbalanced Forklifts use the front wheel axle in the same way as the fulcrum of a lever. The load is counterbalanced on one side by the weight of the machine on the other side. All the weight behind the point of balance acts as a counterweight.
A Counterbalanced Forklift:
Noncounterbalanced forklifts (Stock pickers) In noncounterbalanced forklifts the centre of the load is behind the fulcrum point. They are known as ‘reach’ or ’straddle’ trucks. Commonly known as Stock pickers or Order pickers.
This type of forklift reaches out to deposit the load or straddles the stack for depositing the load. They should not carry loads unless the reach is retracted. They are used for particular load stacking functions and are more versatile than the counterbalanced type in warehouse locations.
This basic forklift training guide series gives basic information necessary for the safe operation of a forklift truck and to pass the assessment for a forklift licence. The source of the information is a little dated and you should always ensure you are up to date by attending training from an RTO every 18mths to 2 years. That said, this series should give a common sense overview of what you need to operate a forklift safely.
Fork lift truck drivers must know:
The capacity of their forklift
The conditions of operating a fprklift in their workplace.
The features of forklift.
How to drive a forklift safely.
Forklift prechecks.
Forklift Maintenancechecks.
Propert Forklift Parking procedure.
We will be addressing all of the above over the coming weeks.
Forklift Training – Which attachment is for what? Below is a list of common forklift attachments: •Sideshifter - is a hydraulic attachment that allows the operator to move the tines (forks) and backrest laterally. This allows easier placement of a load without having to reposition the truck.
•Rotator - To aid the handling of skids that may have become excessively tilted and other specialty material handling needs some forklifts are fitted with an attachment that allows the tines to be rotated. This type of attachment may also be used for dumping containers for quick unloading.
•Fork Positioner - is a hydraulic attachment that moves the tines (forks) together or apart. This removes the need for the operator to get out of the cab to manually adjust the tines for different sized loads.
•Roll and Barrel Clamp Attachment - A mechanical or hydraulic attachment that is used for handling barrels, kegs, or paper rolls. This type of attachment also usually have a rotate function so that a vertically stored paper roll can be inserted into the horizontal intake of a printing press.
•Pole Attachments - In some locations, such as carpet warehouses, a long metal pole is used instead of forks to lift carpet rolls. Similar devices, though much larger, are used to pick up metal coils.
•Carton and Multipurpose Clamp Attachments - are hydraulic attachments that allow the operator to open and close around a load, squeezing it to pick it up. Products like cartons, boxes and bales can be moved with this type attachment. With these attachments in use, the forklift truck is sometimes referred to as a clamp truck.
•Slip Sheet Attachment (Push - Pull) - is a hydraulic attachment that reaches forward, clamps onto a slipsheet and draws the slipsheet onto wide and thin metal forks for transport. The attachment will push the slip sheet and load off the forks for placement.
•Drum Handler Attachment - is a mechanical attachment that slides onto the tines (forks). It usually has a spring loaded jaw that grips the top lip edge of a drum for transport. Another type grabs around the drum in a manner similar to the roll or barrel attachments.
•Man Basket - a lift platform that slides onto the tines (forks); meant for hoisting workers. The man basket has railings and brackets for attaching safety harnesses.
•Telescopic Forks - are hydraulic attachments that allow the operator to operate in warehouse design for “double-deep stacking”, which means that two pallet shelves are placed behind each other without any aisle between them.
Getting yourself forklift training is a great way to get yourself safely behind the wheel of a forklift and start to earn yourself some great money.
Want to be one step infront of other forklift drivers? Can you use all the attachements and functions of a forklift safely?
By earning your forklift ticket and getting your forklift training from a training provider that gives you high quality training, is a market leader and ensures they stay on the cutting edge of training delivery and industry knowledge.
Forklift training courses - find out why there is more than one way to lift a load, but what is the safest?
Recently the Forklift Training Site decided to “get all mutlimedia” and put some video out in the world. This is a quick demo for getting some Forklift Training in Brisbane. It is short and sweet … promoting our little site here.
While it is not content heavy - it really demonstrates the power of technology of a delivery mechanism.
Hope you enjoy and feel free to let us know what you think!
Companies that employ forklift operators should review the needs for their drivers on a regular basis. With variables like changes in legislation, updated safety standards, turn over in staff, people retiring and people fresh to the workplace - it is important to ensure that all forklift drivers (or potential drivers) continue to have the necessary knowledge to not only operate a forklift safely but also to make sure they are abiding by the law. The only way to do this is through periodic forklift training.
By periodic training of their forkies, companies can avoid costly mistakes both in terms of dollars and injury. A company should regularly assess their workforce and provide adequate training so that their forklift drivers have the appropriate knowledge and skill as required by the national standard to ensure workplace safety. New people to the workplace or younger workers should be given particular attention.
Most companies find that refresher forklift training is best conducted either yearly or every two years. This keeps the workforce across any additional safety measures that have come to light and provides reenforcement of what the forklift operators should already be doing. They will be abreast of the current laws and the trainers will be able to identify any bad operating habits that need to be addressed. The training company should also provide a report on any drivers that have undergone the refresher training and certificate to show they have received training.
Refresher training is so important for drivers even if they have had their forklift licence for years. Depending on the driver and the time since the last training, it is a sad fact that a lot of the time, bad habits will have formed over time and they will be out of touch with the current regulations. Refresher training is the opportunity to correct these habits and bring people up to speed.
And if that isn’t reason enough, should an accident occur on site with a forklift, one of the things that Workcover and the insurance companies will ask for is to see if the operator’s training was current and whether or not it might have been the cause of the accident.
Ensuring a safe workplace is easy with the right forklift training. For forklift training in Brisbane, AIMM Training provide affordable superior training with great service.
