Don’t believe the “Certification” hype
Are you interested in being a “certified” forklift operator? Then read the next few words VERY carefully. You cannot be certified to drive a forklift through ANY online vendor. Let me put it another way, just so we’re clear: online providers offering forklift “certification” is just a marketing strategy, and to say otherwise is an outright lie! That said, the truth is that you CAN receive a majority of your forklift (or other powered industrial truck) training online.
As a rule, OSHA is not in the business of certifying, accrediting or even approving trainers or training programs, whether they’re delivered in a classroom or online. The lone exception to this rule is OSHA’s 10- and 30-hour outreach programs. On the other hand, OSHA IS in the business of compliance. In taking this stance, OSHA moves the burden of “certification” to the employer. Employers are completely responsible for the training, evaluation, and yes “certification” of their employees. To put it plainly and in OSHA terms: when it comes to employee training, “the employer shall so certify”. As with all OSHA training, when it comes to forklift training the employee must be trained to the OSHA standard (1910.178).
Now here is where this standard differs from the majority of OSHA training requirements: the employer shall ensure that “Training consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.” 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) The standard goes on to state, “the evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.” 1910.178(l)(2)(iii) Now, unless an online training provider can send a competent person to the worksite to evaluate your performance as an operator, they cannot meet this standard to the letter.
There’s the problem, so now what’s the solution? There are many solutions, but in this instance let’s try “cheap and effective” using a blended training approach. As I stated before, the majority of your forklift training can be delivered online in a few hours, leaving only the driving evaluation. Due to OSHA’s very broad definition of who qualifies as an evaluator (any person in the workplace who has knowledge, training and experience), there is no reason forklift operators should be untrained. If you didn’t catch it I will repeat it, there are no special or additional training requirements for the evaluator.
So get online today and take the five SafetySkills™ forklift courses ($70), and print your certificates!
