Forklift Trainer Introduction

Did you know you can train and certify your operators in-house, on your own, be fully compliant, and save a ton of time and money? One of the first steps is understanding OSHA forklift trainer requirements.

Before we discuss specific forklift instructor requirements, let’s review OSHA’s operator training requirements. This will help set the stage for what we’ll cover next.

Let’s continue.

Forklift Operator Training Requirements

To put it simply, OSHA requires forklift operators to be competent. They further state that, in order for an operator to be competent, they must complete two separate training phases:

General Training

This part of the training covers forklift fundamentals, safety, and theory. It’s basically the “classroom” portion of the training that we’re all familiar with.

Workplace-Specific Training

This part of the training is completed in the workplace using the actual equipment the operator will be using. It covers workplace and equipment specifics.

Both training phases must also conclude with an evaluation. Phase 1 concludes with a knowledge assessment, and phase 2 concludes with a practical evaluation.

So here’s what the entire OSHA forklift certification process looks like:

1. General Training: This can be completed in a traditional classroom setting or via online training.
2. Knowledge Evaluation: This can be completed by administering a test in a classroom setting or automatically when using online training.
3. Workplace/Equipment-Specific Training: This is also known as “on-the-job” training, and it is completed in the workplace on the equipment the operator will be using.
4. Practical Evaluation: A forklift trainer or evaluator will observe the operator performing forklift functions, confirm that they are performed safely and correctly, and then log those results on a checklist.

An operator must complete all of the above components to be considered a competent operator

Now that we understand the operator training requirements let’s dive into OSHA’s trainer requirements.

OSHA Forklift Trainer Requirements

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, and theoretical principles. This means understanding how forklifts work, their controls, weight capacities, stability principles, and maintenance needs.

Additionally, trainers should be well-versed in workplace hazards and best practices, ensuring they can tailor practical training to the unique conditions of the job site.

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 easily understand.

A good trainer adapts their approach to suit different learning styles and ensures operators feel confident asking questions or seeking clarification. The ability to engage and educate is just as important as technical knowledge when preparing operators for success.

Experience

Practical experience is essential for trainers as it allows them to provide real-world examples, anticipate common challenges, and build credibility with trainees. For instance, supervisors or experienced operators who regularly use forklifts and understand the unique demands of their workplace often have the experience needed to step into a training role. When paired with additional knowledge or instructional skills, they can become some of the most effective forklift trainers.

Employers are responsible for ensuring their forklift trainers and evaluators meet the qualifications necessary to train and evaluate operators in compliance with OSHA standards.

Who Can Train and Evaluate Forklift Operators?

Now that we know the OSHA forklift trainer requirements let’s examine who can actually train and evaluate forklift operators.

Here are some examples of individuals who can fill this role:

Supervisor

Supervisors often have a deep understanding of workplace operations and the challenges operators may face. With their knowledge and experience, they are well-positioned to train and evaluate operators effectively.

By enhancing their fundamental forklift knowledge and teaching abilities through additional training, they can better communicate safety protocols, operating techniques, and evaluation criteria to operators.

Experienced Forklift Operator

Another strong candidate for the role of trainer is an experienced operator who knows your workplace’s processes, has experience using your equipment, and is knowledgeable about specific hazards and safety measures.

Completing a forklift trainer program can help them add instructional skills and turn their real-world expertise into actionable teaching skills for operators. This can ensure training is both practical and hyper-relevant to the equipment and work environment.

Team Leader or Shift Manager

Team leaders and shift managers often work closely with operators and understand the day-to-day realities of forklift operations.

They’re extremely well-suited to step into a forklift trainer role, especially when they’re provided with resources to enhance their ability to deliver engaging training sessions and conduct practical evaluations.

Safety Manager

A safety manager can bring a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety standards and can easily integrate forklift operator training into a company’s overall safety program.

With additional tools to refine their instructional approach, safety managers can provide operators with a robust and compliant training experience.

Choosing the Right Trainer

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

Supervisors, experienced operators, and safety professionals within your organization can leverage their existing knowledge and skills to become highly effective trainers.

With the right tools and preparation, they can train operators effectively and conduct evaluations that meet OSHA requirements.

Forklift Trainer Certification

Getting a forklift trainer certification is an excellent way to help cover the knowledge and training component that forklift instructors must have per the OSHA forklift trainer requirements.

While experience in operating forklifts and understanding workplace-specific hazards is important, a forklift train-the-trainer certification adds essential tools and structure to help trainers excel in their roles.

Let’s explore a few key benefits of completing a forklift trainer certification and who can benefit from it.

Benefits of Completing a Forklift Trainer & Evaluator Program

1. Strengthens Knowledge and Instructional Skills

A forklift trainer course deepens understanding of forklift fundamentals, including safety protocols, operational principles, and equipment maintenance. It also provides trainers with practical teaching techniques, enabling them to clearly communicate these concepts and effectively engage operators.

2. Ensures Compliance with OSHA Standards

Certified trainers are better equipped to deliver consistent, OSHA-aligned training that meets both regulatory and workplace-specific requirements. This helps businesses maintain compliance while improving overall safety.

3. Enhances Evaluation Skills

The course teaches trainers how to assess operator competence through hands-on, practical evaluations. Trainers learn to identify gaps in skills, provide constructive feedback, and document results thoroughly to demonstrate compliance.

4. Saves Time and Resources

Developing in-house trainers and evaluators eliminates the need for costly external training providers. By empowering internal staff, businesses can streamline their training programs and reduce downtime.

How to Get an OSHA Forklift Trainer Certification

If you’re ready to certify your internal trainers or evaluators, here’s how to get started:

Step1: Choose a Trusted Certification Provider

Select a provider that offers a comprehensive, OSHA-compliant forklift instructor certification program. Ensure they provide the necessary resources to equip your trainers effectively.

Step 2: Purchase Training Registrations

Once you’ve selected a provider, purchase trainer course registrations. For instance, our Forklift Instructor/Evaluator Online Training Program is available for $159 per registration.

Step 3: Enroll Your Trainers

After purchasing, enroll your trainers in the program. Our platform allows for quick enrollment, enabling trainers to start their training immediately.

Step 4: Your Trainers Complete the Course

Trainers can complete the online course at their own pace. It covers essential topics such as forklift fundamentals, safety protocols, and evaluation techniques. The course is designed to enhance their instructional skills and prepare them for conducting practical evaluations.

Step 5: Certificates are Awarded

Upon completing the training, trainers in our program receive certificates of completion. When you use our platform, certificate management is automatic—businesses can view, print, and store certificates in their account for easy recordkeeping and future access.

Instructor-Led Forklift Training

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

This approach works best if you have 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, your internal trainer leads the classroom portion of the training (the knowledge component) and oversees workplace-specific training and evaluations.

Instructor-Led Forklift Training Steps

Instructor-led 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 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.

Forklift Instructor Training Materials

Creating your own forklift training materials is a great option if you have the time and resources. However, it can be a time-consuming process and challenging to ensure you’ve covered everything OSHA requires.

That’s why we offer a complete Forklift Instructor Package to simplify the process.

Our package equips your trainers with:

• A trainer course registration to earn their certification.
• Pre-designed materials for classroom training.
• Knowledge tests to evaluate operators’ understanding.
• Practical evaluation checklists to document training and assessments thoroughly.

While instructor-led training is a proven method, it’s not always the most convenient or efficient option for every business. That’s where a blended approach can make a big difference.

By combining online training for the classroom portion with in-house evaluations, you can save time, streamline the process, and still meet OSHA’s requirements.

Forklift Operator Online Training

Leveraging forklift operator online training for a blended learning approach combines the convenience of online training with the hands-on requirements of workplace-specific training and evaluations.

This method is becoming increasingly popular because it streamlines the certification process, offers flexibility, reduces downtime, saves money, saves time, and ensures compliance with OSHA requirements.

Key Benefits of a Blended Training Approach

• Saves Time: Operators can complete the classroom portion of the training (the knowledge component) online at their convenience, reducing the need for lengthy in-person sessions.
• Minimizes Disruptions: Online training eliminates the challenge of scheduling classroom time, keeping your operations running smoothly.
• Ensures Consistency: Online courses deliver the same high-quality content to every operator, reducing variability in training delivery.
• Cost-Effective: Avoids the expenses of off-site training centers and reduces the burden on internal resources.

How to Implement a Blended Training Approach

Here’s how a blended training approach works step by step:

Step 1: Operators Complete Online Forklift Certification Course

Purchase online training registrations for your operators. They can complete the general training and knowledge evaluation at their own pace, minimizing disruptions to your operations.

Step 2: Train Internal Evaluators

Designate one or more managers, supervisors, or experienced operators to complete our Forklift Instructor and Evaluator Course. This ensures they are qualified to conduct workplace-specific training and practical evaluations.

Step 3: Provide Operators with Workplace-Specific Training

Once the knowledge component is complete, your internal trainer or evaluator provides on-the-job training. This focuses on the specific equipment, hazards, and processes in your workplace.

Step 4: Conduct Practical Evaluations

Your internal evaluators observe operators performing key tasks, grade their performance, and document the results using a practical evaluation checklist. This confirms their competence and ensures OSHA compliance.

OSHA Forklift Trainer Requirements FAQ

Do Forklift Trainers Need Refresher Training?

While OSHA does not specify a required frequency for retraining forklift trainers, it’s recommended that they be retrained every three years.

This aligns with industry best practices and standards such as the CSA, ensuring trainers stay updated on safety protocols and teaching techniques.

Who Can Train and Evaluate Forklift Operators?

Forklift trainers and evaluators are individuals who have the knowledge, training, and experience to effectively train and evaluate operators.

Examples include managers, supervisors, or experienced operators who are familiar with the workplace, equipment, and specific hazards. Completing a trainer certification course can help enhance their qualifications.

Does a Forklift Trainer Certification Expire?

While forklift trainer certifications do not typically display an expiration date, it’s recommended that trainers recertify every three years.

This aligns with industry best practices and ensures trainers stay up-to-date on forklift fundamentals and adult learning techniques.

Do Forklift Trainers Need to Be Certified?

OSHA does not explicitly require forklift trainers to be certified.

However, the most proactive companies ensure their trainers complete trainer and evaluator certification programs to help ensure they meet OSHA’s trainer requirements. OSHA states:

“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.”

Conclusion

Certifying your forklift operators doesn’t have to be a complicated process. By understanding OSHA’s requirements and using the right training methods, you can ensure your operators are competent, your workplace stays compliant, and your business runs smoothly.

Whether you’re looking to implement a traditional instructor-led program or streamline the process with our blended training approach, ForkliftTraining.com has the tools and resources to support you.

Need to certify internal trainers? Explore our Forklift Train-the-Trainer Course to equip your team with the knowledge and skills to train and evaluate operators.

Want to train your operators entirely in-house? Check out our Forklift Instructor Package for pre-designed forklift training materials, checklists, and more.

Looking for the most streamlined approach?? Our Online Forklift Operator Training makes it easy to cover the classroom portion of OSHA’s requirements.

Still have questions or need guidance? We’re here to help!

Reach out to our team via live chat, email, or phone to learn more about how we can support your forklift training needs.

Let’s work together to build a safer, more efficient workplace—starting today.