Indiana Forklift Driver Licensing FAQs

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Forklift driver licensing in Indiana is an important investment you need to make to keep your warehouse, construction site, or supply chain operating smoothly. While you could read through every OSHA bylaw and trudge through the legal jargon, our trainers thought we could make it easier for you by assembling some of the most frequently asked questions about forklift operator licensing and training.

How intensive is forklift operator training?

Technically, OSHA does not specify a minimum number of training hours or supply a concrete rubric to judge competency in operating forklifts. What OSHA does specify is that forklift training must include both a classroom portion as well as hands-on training with any and all lift trucks in your business’s material handling equipment fleet.

How often do forklift drivers need to redo training?

OSHA dictates that all forklift operators must be reevaluated at least once every 3 years after their initial training. In addition, a forklift operator must go through what’s called “refresher training” after certain events. Those events include:

  • The operator being found using a lift truck in an unsafe manner.
  • The operator having been involved in a forklift accident or near-miss.
  • The forklift operator receiving a poor evaluation by a supervisor.
  • Changes to the workplace environment or type of forklifts the operator uses in the workplace.

How many different forklifts do our drivers need to train on?

Your forklift operators should be trained on any and all types of lift trucks you use. If your team uses both standing and seated forklifts, turret trucks and traditional counterbalanced forklifts, narrow aisle forklifts and pallet jacks, they should be trained on all of them. This doesn’t necessarily mean each operator must be trained on every single individual model, but rather the general style of the lift, unless there are distinct differences in how they operate from model to model.

What’s a Train the Trainer Program?

A “Train the Trainer” Program involves educating one of your business’s supervisors in how to train other forklift operators, perform regular skill assessments, and manage a team of forklift operators so that you can manage all of your material handling operator training internally.

How long does forklift training take?

Because it requires both a classroom session and hands-on training, the length of time needed for forklift training varies depending on the size of the group being trained, as well as the number of different forklifts they need to be trained on.

Typically, a single company’s forklift training for a small group can be handled within one business day.

How old do you have to be to be licensed for forklifts?

OSHA requires all forklift operators to be at least 18 years of age.

Where can I get forklift training in Indiana?

Tynan Equipment Co. offers forklift training customized to your company’s needs and your own forklift fleet. Our manufacturer-certified trainers will even come to your place of business so your team can be trained on the exact tasks they need to do, on the same machines they’ll be using day after day. To get started, call Tynan at 317-597-4003.

Forklift operator training

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