Forklift Training Introduction

Forklifts are among the most common and most dangerous pieces of equipment in workplaces across America. Every year, forklift-related incidents result in approximately 85 fatalities and 34,900 serious injuries, according to OSHA. Beyond the human cost, these incidents result in equipment damage, operational shutdowns, workers’ compensation claims, and significant OSHA penalties.

The majority of these incidents are preventable.

Improper training, inadequate supervision, and failure to follow safe operating procedures account for most forklift accidents.

This is why OSHA established comprehensive training requirements for powered industrial truck operators.

OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178) establishes the legal framework for forklift training in the United States. The standard specifies who must be trained, what topics must be covered, how competence must be evaluated, and when retraining is required. Employers who fail to comply face citations, penalties, and most importantly, put their workers at serious risk.

This guide breaks down exactly who needs forklift training, what OSHA requires, how often training must be completed, and the options available to employers who need to build a compliant forklift training program.

What is Forklift Training?

Forklift training is required by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) for anyone who operates a powered industrial truck. The purpose of training is to ensure operators can recognize forklift hazards, understand safe operating practices, and demonstrate competence before being permitted to operate powered industrial trucks on their own.

The goal of forklift training is straightforward:

• Reduce the risk of serious injury or death from forklift incidents.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard.
• Prepare operators to recognize hazards, follow safe work practices, and operate equipment competently in their specific work environment.

A complete forklift training program includes general training on forklift fundamentals and safety principles, followed by workplace-specific training on the actual equipment and conditions operators will encounter. Both components must include evaluations to verify operator understanding and competence.

To put it simply, forklift training gives operators the knowledge and skills they need to work safely, and gives employers documented proof that they are meeting their legal obligations.

Forklift Training for Supervisors

Supervisors don’t typically operate forklifts themselves, but their role in forklift safety is just as important. Supervisors are responsible for promoting and enforcing safe work practices on the job site, including powered industrial truck safety.

Forklift training for supervisors helps them:

• Understand OSHA’s forklift training requirements.
• Recognize when operators are not following safe procedures.
• Support compliance by ensuring employees are trained, evaluated, and following proper work practices.

Employers must ensure supervisors are competent to oversee forklift operations. In practice, supervisors need at least the same level of general training that the workers they supervisor receive. This ensures alignment and understanding of hazards, equipment limitations, and safe operating procedures, which they need to recognize issues as well as promote and enforce safe work practices.

Who Needs Forklift Training?

OSHA requires any employee who operates a powered industrial truck to complete the entire forklift certification process, including training and evaluation. This includes all forklift types (Classes 1-7), from warehouse forklifts and pallet jacks to rough terrain telehandlers used in construction.

In addition, employers are responsible for ensuring that supervisors are competent to promote and enforce safe forklift operations.

Forklift Operators

A forklift operator is anyone assigned to operate a powered industrial truck. This group typically includes:

• Warehouse workers.
• Dock workers and shipping/receiving personnel.
• Manufacturing and production floor workers
• Construction workers.
• Retail and distribution center employees.

Forklift operators face the highest risk of forklift-related incidents. Their training must cover how to operate their specific equipment safely, how to recognize and avoid hazards, and how to apply safe work practices in their particular work environment.

Occasional and Infrequent Operators

One of the most common misconceptions about forklift training is that only “full-time forklift operators” need to be trained. Some employers may believe that workers who only occasionally operate a forklift don’t require the same training as dedicated operators.

This is incorrect. OSHA’s requirements apply to anyone who operates a powered industrial truck, regardless of how frequently they do so.

Examples of occasional operators include:

• A warehouse worker who normally picks orders but occasionally moves a pallet.
• A supervisor who fills in when operators are absent.
• An employee who operates a forklift once a week or once a month.
• A maintenance worker who moves equipment as needed.

All of these individuals require full forklift training before they are permitted to operate equipment.

In fact, there’s a strong argument that occasional operators need more frequent training and evaluation than full-time operators, because:

• Occasional operators don’t maintain the same level of operational proficiency as daily operators.
• Skills degrade faster between uses when practice is infrequent.
• Infrequent operators are more likely to make errors due to a lack of regular practice.

Supervisors and Managers

Supervisors may not operate forklifts themselves, but they are accountable for ensuring that employees follow safety guidelines, policies, and procedures. OSHA places responsibility on the employer to provide training and enforce safe work procedures. In practice, this means supervisors must:

• Understand OSHA’s training requirements and the safe operating procedures they are enforcing.
• Recognize when operators are not following safe procedures.
• Ensure employees are properly trained, evaluated for assigned equipment, and are using correct operating practices.
• Intervene and stop unsafe work when procedures are not being followed.

Supervisors must be competent to promote and enforce safe forklift operations. That competence comes through receiving training at least equal in scope to the workers they oversee. Without that level of understanding, supervisors cannot effectively fulfill their responsibility to protect employees and maintain compliance.

Temporary Workers and Staffing Agency Placements

Temporary workers placed by staffing agencies need the same forklift training as any other employee performing the same work.

Whether a worker is permanent or temporary, OSHA requires that they be trained to recognize forklift hazards and follow safe work practices before being permitted to operate equipment.

The key difference for temporary workers is that their training typically comes from two sources. The staffing agency provides general forklift training (theory) when the worker is hired, covering foundational knowledge that applies across different job sites. The host employer then provides site-specific training on their particular equipment, procedures, and hazards and also performs the required practical evaluation.

Neither party can avoid its training obligations by assigning full responsibility to the other. Both the staffing agency and the host employer share responsibility under OSHA’s joint-employer model.

Temporary workers should not begin operating forklifts until both training components are complete.

Contractors and Contract Workers

Contractors who operate forklifts at client facilities need forklift training. This includes both workers who operate forklifts directly and those whose tasks may require them to operate equipment at client sites.

Contract workers face unique challenges: they move between job sites with different equipment, hazard levels, and safety procedures. Comprehensive forklift training helps prepare them to recognize hazards and follow safe work practices regardless of where they’re assigned.

Host employers increasingly require proof of forklift training before allowing contractors on site, making current certification essential for winning and keeping contracts.

Who’s Responsible for Forklift Training?

The regulations are clear: employers have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring workers who operate powered industrial trucks receive proper training before being permitted to operate forklifts. This responsibility cannot be transferred to workers themselves or delegated to contractors or other third parties.

Employer responsibilities include:

• Identifying which workers will operate forklifts and require training.
• Providing training that meets OSHA requirements before workers operate equipment.
• Ensuring training is delivered in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand.
• Documenting that training has been completed and that operators have demonstrated competence.
• Providing retraining and recertification when required.
• Ensuring the workplace-specific practical evaluation is completed by a competent forklift trainer and evaluator.

Employers cannot avoid these obligations by claiming a worker “should have known” or by relying on training the worker received from a previous employer. Employers must verify that their workers are trained for the specific equipment and hazards they’ll encounter on the job.

Staffing Agencies and Host Employers

When temporary workers are placed in positions involving forklift operations, both the staffing agency and the host employer share responsibility for training. OSHA’s joint employer model establishes that neither party can avoid their safety obligations by assigning them entirely to the other.

Under this joint employer model, responsibilities are typically divided as follows:

Staffing Agency Responsibilities:

• Provide general forklift training that applies across different work settings.
• Ensure workers understand basic forklift hazards and safe operating principles.
• Verify that workers are not placed in positions requiring training they haven’t received.
• Communicate with host employers about the training workers have completed.

Host Employer Responsibilities:

• Provide site-specific training on the actual equipment, hazards, and procedures at their facility.
• Ensure temporary workers receive the same safety training as permanent employees doing the same work.
• Conduct the practical evaluation to verify competence on their specific equipment.
• Supervise temporary workers and confirm competence before allowing independent operation.

In practice, this is considered a blended forklift training method split between two employers: the staffing agency delivers the general theory portion, and the host employer provides the hands-on, site-specific training. For more on how blended training works, see our guide to [Forklift Operator Blended Training].

Both parties should document any and all training provided to temporary workers. When OSHA investigates an incident involving a temporary worker, both the staffing agency and host employer may be cited if training was inadequate.

Contractors and Host Employers

When contractors perform work involving forklift operations, both the contracting company and the host employer have safety obligations.

Contractor Responsibilities:

• Train employees on forklift hazards and safe work practices before assigning them to job sites.
• Ensure workers understand how to recognize hazards and operate equipment safely.
• Verify that training remains current and workers are competent to perform assigned tasks.
• Communicate with host employers about their workers’ training and qualifications.

Host Employer Responsibilities:

• Inform contractors of known forklift hazards at the facility.
• Share site-specific information about equipment, operating conditions, and restricted areas.
• Verify that contractor employees have received appropriate forklift training before granting site access.
• Coordinate safety procedures when contractor work may affect or be affected by facility operations.

OSHA’s multi-employer citation policy means both parties can be held accountable when incidents occur.

Host employers cannot assume contractors arrive fully prepared, and contractors cannot assume host employers will provide all necessary training. Clear communication and documentation protect everyone.

OSHA Forklift Training Requirements (29 CFR 1910.178)

OSHA-compliant forklift training has two essential parts, each of which must include an evaluation:

• Part 1: General Training (formal instruction covering forklift fundamentals and safety)
• Part 2: Workplace-Specific and Practical Training (hands-on training at the workplace on actual equipment)

Together, these components ensure operators understand both the principles of safe forklift operation and how to apply them in their specific work environment.

Part 1: General Training (Theory/Classroom/Online)

The general training provides the foundational knowledge employees need before they ever operate a forklift, including theory, forklift fundamentals, and general forklift safety guidelines. This can be delivered via traditional, instructor-led classroom sessions or through structured online training programs, as long as it covers OSHA’s required topics.

The general training component must include a knowledge evaluation to verify that the operator understands the material. When using online training, this evaluation is typically integrated directly into the course via quizzes and knowledge checks and completed automatically.

Many employers choose to complete part 1 through online forklift training to provide consistent, up-to-date instruction while reducing scheduling complexity and operational disruption.

Part 2: Workplace-Specific and Practical Training

After general training is complete, operators must receive instruction specific to their actual job environment and equipment. This ensures they can apply what they learned safely and correctly in the field.

The workplace-specific and practical component must be conducted at the workplace, on the actual equipment the operator will use, and must be led or overseen by a competent trainer & evaluator.

This part can vary, depending on the workplace and equipment, but typically includes:

• The specific types and models of forklifts at the facility, as well as any attachments being used.
• Site-specific operating conditions and hazards.
• Company policies and procedures for forklift operations.
• Pedestrian traffic patterns and designated travel paths.
• Narrow aisles, loading docks, ramps, and other facility-specific conditions.
• Demonstration of proper operation by the trainer.
• Supervised practice by the trainee.
• Steps to take in case of an incident or equipment malfunction.

This part must include a practical evaluation where the trainer & evaluator observes the operator and confirm they can safely operate the equipment and documents the results.

Since each part must included an evaluation, you can actually break it down into four components.

All Four Components Required

To summarize, OSHA-compliant forklift certification requires completion of all of these components:

1. General Training: Classroom or online instruction covering forklift fundamentals and safety.
2. Knowledge Evaluation: Test or assessment to verify understanding of general training content.
3. Workplace-Specific Training: Hands-on instruction on the actual equipment the operator will be using as well as company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
4. Practical Evaluation: Observed demonstration of competence documented on an evaluation checklist.

An operator must complete all of four components to be considered a competent operator and skipping any component results in incomplete training and a compliance gap.

Common mistakes employers make:

• Completing online training without ever conducting a practical evaluation.
• Providing on-the-job training without any formal instruction on forklift fundamentals.
• Administering a knowledge test but never evaluating hands-on performance.
• Conducting practical training but failing to document the evaluation.

Each component serves a distinct purpose. General training builds foundational knowledge. The knowledge evaluation confirms understanding. Workplace-specific training connects that knowledge to actual operating conditions. The practical evaluation verifies that the operator can apply everything competently.

Training Language and Comprehension

OSHA requires that all safety training—including forklift training—be provided in a language and vocabulary that employees can understand. This means employers must ensure that employees fully comprehend the training content.

If you’re training Spanish-speaking operators, you need to provide them with Spanish forklift training. Providing English-language training to workers who don’t speak English does not meet OSHA’s requirements.

Forklift Training Duration

Given the scope of OSHA’s required training topics, legitimate forklift training takes time. General forklift training that adequately covers all required truck-related and workplace-related topics typically requires 2-4 hours minimum when delivered efficiently through online training. Structured classroom sessions can taken anywhere between 4 – 8 hours, depending on the number participants and the level of interactivity.

Overly condensed online training courses that claim to provide a complete “1-hour forklift certification” cannot realistically cover all required topics with the depth necessary for operators to understand and apply the material.

When evaluating training programs, be wary of providers who prioritize speed over substance. The goal is competent operators, not just fast certificates.

Forklift Training Frequency

Forklift training isn’t something that operators complete only one time. To stay compliant, training must be completed before initial assignment and refreshed according to regulatory requirements and industry standards. To go beyond compliance and ensure safety, more frequent training is required.

Initial Training

Operators must complete training and evaluation before being permitted to operate a powered industrial truck on their own. Trainees may operate a truck only under the direct supervision of a qualified person during the training process.

OSHA Retraining Requirements

OSHA explicitly states that operators must be retrained when:

• The operator has been observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner.
• The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident.
• The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck which they’ve not received training on.
• A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation.
• An evaluation of the operator reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely.

Retraining must address the specific deficiency or change that triggered the requirement.

In addition, OSHA requires an evaluation of each operator’s performance at least once every three years to verify the operator continues to operate safely.

Three-Year Refresher Training

The North American forklift safety consensus standards (ANSI B56.1 and CSA B335) require complete refresher training at least every three years. This is the industry benchmark for forklift training programs.

In addition to meeting and exceeding compliance, following the consensus standards help ensure your teams stay as safe as possible.

The reasons for 3-year refresher training and recertifications:

• Aligns with recognized industry standards and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Maximizes long-term worker safety and reduces potential for catastrophic incident.
• Lowers risk of costly workers’ compensation claims and civil matters due to repeat incidents.
• Provides documented proof of ongoing safety commitment during OSHA audits and incident investigations.
• Continued worker engagement improves company culture and relationships between leadership and hourly workforce.
• Demonstrates investment in your workforce, improving retention and reducing turnover costs.
• Strengthens reputation with clients and partners who require documented safety programs from vendors.
• Reduces operational disruptions caused by preventable incidents that sideline workers and equipment. 

Occasional Operator Training Frequency

Operators who don’t use equipment regularly lose proficiency faster than those who operate daily. Skills degrade between use, and infrequent operators may not maintain the same level of competence as full-time operators.

These workers are often the most overlooked in training programs, and the most likely to be involved in incidents. Someone who operates a forklift once a week or fills in occasionally doesn’t build the muscle memory and situational awareness that daily operation reinforces.

For these workers, more frequent refresher training or competency verification keeps skills current and creates documentation that protects the company during audits or incident investigations.

Does OSHA Approve or “Certify” Forklift Training or Providers?

No – OSHA does not approve, accredit, or certify forklift training courses or providers.

OSHA sets the training requirements, including the topics that must be covered and the requirement for evaluation and documentation. It does not promote or endorse training companies, issue certificates, or “approve” training programs.

In other words:

• OSHA defines what content and evaluations are required.
• Employers are responsible for ensuring training meets those requirements.
• No forklift training program is “OSHA-approved,” regardless of how it’s marketed.

If you see terms like “OSHA-approved,” “OSHA-certified,” or “OSHA-accredited” used on a provider’s website or marketing materials, you should proceed with caution. Those terms are inaccurate, misleading, and not permitted by OSHA to describe forklift training.

In many cases, this language indicates a provider does not fully understand OSHA forklift training requirements. In others, it may suggest the provider is intentionally using misleading terminology to create a false sense of authority.

You can learn more about why OSHA does not approve, certify, or accredit forklift training programs and providers here: [Does OSHA Approve Forklift Training?]

Forklift Training Options for Employers

Employers can meet OSHA’s forklift training requirements in several ways. As discussed earlier, all programs must include two components: general training (formal instruction) and workplace-specific practical training with evaluation.

Here are the most common ways employers deliver these components.

Instructor-led Training

Instructor-led training delivers both components through a traditional instructor-facilitated format.

External Training Provider

Some companies send workers to an off-site training center or bring in an outside consultant to deliver training. This method can provide quality instruction, but it comes with practical limitations. 

• Offsite sessions involve travel, scheduling, and time away from work.
• Content is typically general, not tailored to the company’s specific equipment or hazards.
• Most importantly, workplace-specific practical training is still required once employees return to the job site. Offsite training cannot address a facility’s exact conditions or verify competency on your equipment.

In-House Instructor-Led Training

Traditional, instructor-led training is still a great way for companies to certify forklift operators and meet OSHA’s requirements.

This approach works best if a company has the time and resources to facilitate instructor-led classroom sessions, and it’s easy to pull your operators together in a group for 4 – 8 hours.

With this approach, internal trainer lead the classroom portion of the training and oversees workplace-specific training and evaluations.

Instructor-Led Forklift Training Steps

Instructor-led forklift training follows these key steps to meet OSHA forklift training requirements:

Step 1: Classroom Training (Knowledge Component): Trainers deliver forklift fundamentals, safety theory, and operational principles through presentations, manuals, or demonstrations.

Step 2: Knowledge Test: Operators complete a written test to confirm their understanding of the material.

Step 3: Workplace-Specific Training: Trainers or experienced mentors guide operators on the equipment they’ll use, addressing workplace-specific hazards and scenarios.

Step 4: Practical Evaluation: Trainers observe operators performing forklift tasks and document their performance to confirm they’re competent.

Online Forklift Training

Online forklift training provides a convenient and consistent way to complete the general training (formal instruction) component. It covers essential knowledge, including forklift fundamentals, stability and capacity, safe operating practices, and OSHA requirements. This allows worker to learn at their own pace while maintaining productivity.

OSHA explicitly recognizes online training (“interactive computer learning”) as a valid delivery method for formal instruction. When the online course includes a knowledge evaluation, it covers both the general training and knowledge evaluation components of the certification process.

After completing online training, employers must still conduct the workplace-specific practical component under a qualified person’s supervision to verify competence on actual equipment.

Blended Forklift Operator Training (Recommended)

The blended forklift operator training method combines the flexibility of online training with the effectiveness of internal hands-on instruction, and has become the preferred method for many employers.

Workers first complete online training covering the general training and knowledge evaluation components, then participate in workplace-specific practical training and evaluation led by an internal trainer & evaluator (usually a supervisor, manager, or experience operator).

This ensures both content consistency and direct applicability to the actual work environment.

Benefits of blended forklift operator training:

• Consistency: Every operator receives the same standardized general training, regardless of when they’re trained or who trains them.
• Eliminate and Minimize Downtime: Operators complete online training when it fits into a company’s schedule, whether it’s between shifts, during downtime, or even at home. No need to shut down operations.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Online training is a fraction of the cost of external classroom training or consultant fees.
• Scalability: The process works whether a company is training 5 operators at one location or 5,000 at multiple locations.
• Full Compliance: Both required components are addressed—general training online, practical training, and evaluation internally.
• Long-Term Capability: Once internal trainers are qualified, that capability stays with your organization.

Blended Forklift Operator Training Steps

Step 1 – Identify Your Internal Trainers: Determine who will deliver the workplace-specific training and complete practical evaluations. You can have a single trainer or multiple trainers for additional flexibility.

Step 2 – Purchase Training and Enroll Your Team: Purchase forklift instructor/evaluator (train-the-trainer) registration(s) for your designated trainer(s) and forklift operator online training registrations for your operators. 

Step 3 – Your Trainers Complete the Train-the-Trainer Program: Your trainers complete the forklift train-the-trainer program at their own pace. It covers forklift fundamentals, instructional techniques, and practical evaluation methods. This helps prepare them to deliver workplace-specific training and complete practical evaluations.

Step 4 – Operators Complete Online Training: Operators complete the forklift operator online training when it’s most convenient. They move through the material at their own pace, complete the knowledge evaluation, and receive their certificate of completion.

Step 5 – Your Trainers Complete the Practical Training: Your trainers conduct the practical training component at your workplace, including the required practical evaluation.

That’s full OSHA compliance: formal instruction + practical training + workplace evaluation.

Forklift Training for Staffing Agencies

For staffing agencies, online forklift training is the most practical way to meet forklift training obligations. Placements can complete online training during onboarding, before placement, ensuring consistent, documented instruction across all hires regardless of timing or branch location.

Online delivery aligns naturally with the blended training model required by staffing arrangements. The agency provides theory through online training and the host employer handles site-specific instruction and practical evaluation on their equipment.

Forklift Training for Contractors

Contractors face a distinct training challenge: their crews need comprehensive forklift knowledge that applies across multiple client sites, but they also need to adapt quickly to site-specific hazards and procedures at each location.

Online forklift training gives contracting companies a scalable solution. Workers complete theory training before visiting client sites, and refresher training keeps certifications current across the entire workforce. This ensures every worker arrives at client facilities with documented proof of forklift safety knowledge, increasingly a requirement for site access.

Host employers can then supplement with site-specific information about their particular equipment and procedures before allowing operation.

Who Can Conduct Forklift Training and Evaluations?

OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck standard includes a specific paragraph addressing trainer qualifications:

1910.178(l)(2)(iii): “All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.”

This means that anyone responsible for training or evaluating forklift operators must meet specific qualifications: knowledge, training, and experience.

Let’s have a closer look at each component:

Knowledge: A forklift trainer must have a strong grasp of forklift fundamentals, including operation, safety protocols, stability principles, and equipment limitations. They should understand how forklifts work, their controls, weight capacities, and maintenance needs. They must also understand the workplace hazards and conditions operators will encounter.

Training: Beyond knowing the material, trainers must be able to communicate it effectively. This involves breaking down forklift fundamentals and safety concepts into clear, actionable lessons that workers can understand. Good trainers adapt their approach to different learning styles and ensure operators understand the material before moving on.

Experience: Practical experience allows trainers to provide real-world examples, anticipate common challenges, and build credibility with trainees. Supervisors or experienced operators who regularly work with forklifts and understand the demands of the workplace often have the experience needed to be effective trainers.

Importantly, OSHA does not require forklift trainers to be external consultants or hold special third-party certifications. The requirement is that trainers have the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate competence—and that can absolutely be an internal employee.

Who Can Be a Trainer & Evaluator?

The best forklift trainers and evaluators are individuals who already have an in-depth understanding of the workplace, equipment, and hazards.

Here are examples of internal employees who can fill this role:

Supervisors: Supervisors typically possess a comprehensive understanding of workplace operations and the challenges operators encounter. With their knowledge and experience, they are well-positioned to train and evaluate operators effectively.

Experienced Forklift Operators: Experienced operators who know a workplace’s processes, have hands-on experience with the equipment, and understand specific hazards and safety measures make excellent trainer and evaluator candidates. They can turn real-world expertise into practical instruction.

Team Leaders or Shift Managers: Team leaders and shift managers often work closely with operators and understand the day-to-day realities of forklift operations. They’re well-suited to step into a trainer and evaluator role, especially when provided with resources to enhance their instructional abilities.

Safety Managers: Safety managers bring a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety standards and can integrate forklift training into the company’s overall safety program. They often have the regulatory knowledge needed to ensure training meets compliance requirements.

Forklift Train-the-Trainer Certification Program

Supervisors, experienced operators, managers, and safety professionals bring valuable workplace knowledge to the table. However, there’s a distinction between understanding a company’s operations and knowing how to teach and evaluate operators effectively.

A train-the-trainer program helps bridge that gap. It equips internal trainers with instructional techniques, evaluation methods, and a structured approach to delivering workplace-specific training, enabling them to train operators with confidence and consistency.

Benefits of completing a forklift train-the-trainer program:

• Strengthens knowledge of forklift fundamentals, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides practical teaching techniques for engaging and effective instruction.
• Teaches how to assess operator competence through proper practical evaluations.
• Ensures trainers can deliver consistent, OSHA-aligned training.
• Eliminates the need for costly external training providers.
• Builds long-term internal training capability.

Train-the-trainer programs are recommended for anyone stepping into an internal forklift trainer or evaluator role, especially if they haven’t previously delivered structured training.

Choosing the Right Forklift Training Provider

The forklift training provider you choose matters. OSHA holds employers responsible for ensuring training is accurate, complete, and properly documented, even if a third party delivers it.

Choosing the right provider can make the difference between a defensible safety program and one that falls short during an inspection or incident investigation.

When comparing providers, look for:

• OSHA Alignment: Training must align with OSHA standards. More premium and reputable providers ensure alignment with consensus standards as well, including ANSI B56.1 and CSA B335.

• Realistic Training Duration: If a program claims complete forklift certification in one hour, that’s a red flag. Adequate coverage of required topics typically takes at least 2-4 hours for the general training component through an online program. Courses that are significantly shorter either skip required content or rush through it without allowing for real understanding.

• Flexible Delivery Options: A strong provider offers online, instructor-led, and blended options so you can train based on your specific operational needs.

• Up-to-Date, Professional Materials: Content should be current, easy to follow, and professionally produced. Outdated or amateurish training reflects poorly on your forklift safety program.

• Documentation and Recordkeeping: Complete records, certificates, and progress tracking are essential for demonstrating compliance. Look for providers that make documentation easy to access and manage.

• Spanish and Multilingual Training: OSHA requires training in a language workers can understand. If you have Spanish-speaking operators, you should find a single provider than offers training in both English and Spanish.

• Resources for Complete Compliance: The best providers don’t just sell a course, they provide the tools needed for complete compliance, including online training, train-the-trainer programs, and instructor packages with materials.

Warning signs to watch for:

• Unrealistic time claims (“1-hour forklift certification“).
• Offsite training centers who claim “full certification”.
• No mention of practical evaluation requirements.
• No resources for trainers or evaluators.
• Claims of “complete certification” without addressing workplace-specific training.
• No clear alignment with OSHA’s specific requirements.

Remember: No training provider, whether online or a live training center, can evaluate an operator’s competence on your equipment, in your facility, with your specific hazards. That responsibility always belongs to the employer. Quality providers are upfront about this and provide tools to help you complete the practical components properly.

Does OSHA require forklift training?

Yes. OSHA requires forklift training under 29 CFR 1910.178 for all employees who operate powered industrial trucks. Operators must be trained and evaluated before being permitted to operate equipment independently.

Who needs forklift training?

Anyone who operates a powered industrial truck needs forklift training. This includes full-time operators, occasional operators, temporary workers, and contractors. Supervisors who oversee forklift operations should also have comparable training so they can effectively promote and enforce forklift safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Do occasional or part-time forklift operators need training?

Yes. OSHA’s training requirements apply to anyone who operates a forklift, regardless of how frequently they do so. In fact, occasional operators may need more frequent refresher training because their skills degrade faster between use.

Who’s responsible for forklift training?

Employers have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring workers who operate forklifts receive proper training. This responsibility cannot be transferred to workers or delegated to third parties.

Who’s responsible for training temporary workers?

Both the staffing agency and host employer share responsibility under OSHA’s joint employer model. The staffing agency typically provides general forklift training, while the host employer provides site-specific training and conducts the practical evaluation.

Who is responsible for training contractors?

Both the contracting company and the host employer share responsibility. The contractor must ensure workers are trained on forklift hazards and safe work practices. The host employer must inform contractors of site-specific hazards and verify that contractors have received training before allowing site access.

Do contractors need forklift certification to work on client sites?

Many host employers require proof of forklift training before granting site access. Even when not explicitly required by a client, it’s still an OSHA requirement that contractor employees have appropriate training. Documentation demonstrates professionalism and reduces liability concerns for both parties.

Can forklift training be completed online?

Yes. The general forklift training (formal instruction) component can be completed online. OSHA explicitly recognizes “interactive computer learning” as a valid delivery method for formal instruction. Workplace-specific practical training and evaluation must still be performed internally by a competent trainer & evaluator on the actual equipment the worker will be operating.

How long does forklift training take?

General forklift training (the formal instruction component) typically takes 2-4 hours when delivered efficiently through online training or classroom instruction. The workplace-specific practical component varies depending on the complexity of operations and the operator’s prior experience. Programs claiming “1-hour forklift certification” raise questions as to whether they can realistically cover all required topics and verify knowledge retention.

How often is forklift training required?

Initial forklift training is required before an operator can operate equipment. OSHA requires an evaluation at least every three years, with retraining triggered when specific conditions occur (unsafe operation, incident, equipment change, workplace changes, or competency concerns). North American forklift safety consensus standards require complete training every three years, which is the industry benchmark for a defensible training program.

Who can train and evaluate forklift operators?

Training must be conducted by persons with the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and to evaluate their competence. This can be an internal employee, such as a supervisor, experienced operator, team leader, or safety manager. These internal experts can be especially effective after receiving a forklift train-the-trainer program.

Is forklift training available in Spanish?

Yes. OSHA requires training to be provided in a language and vocabulary that employees can understand. Quality training providers offer forklift training in both English and Spanish to ensure all employees receive compliant, comprehensible instruction.

How old do you have to be to operate a forklift?

Forklift operators must be at least 18 years old. There are limited exceptions in agricultural settings, but for general industry and construction workplaces, the 18-year minimum is non-negotiable. Operators 18 and older must still complete training and receive certification from their employer before operating equipment independently.

Do you need a driver’s license to drive a forklift?

No. OSHA does not require forklift operators to have a state-issued driver’s license. Forklift certification and a driver’s license are completely separate. You need forklift-specific training and certification to operate a forklift, but that certification is issued by your employer after completing the required training and evaluation. Some employers may require a driver’s license as part of their internal hiring policies, but it’s not an OSHA or federal requirement.