Counterbalance lift truck Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require drivers using a counterbalanced lift truck to have received classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a supervised driving course is completed as well as periodic refresher training. There is no required minimum time for the supervised driving or classroom training. Furthermore, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalanced forklift's weight is utilized to balance its load using its own weight. The forklift forks are in a fixed position but can be lowered and raised to secure and transport cargo. The forks run parallel to the body of the forklift. OSHA require that people who will be operating counterbalanced forklifts on the job be correctly trained on the trucks while being in the kind of environment that they will be using them.
Classroom Training
Training either in a classroom or lecture style would provide lift truck and operator information for the truck you would be using. Most training would cover certain aspects such as the weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the forklift. It includes how to gauge the time on the engine as well as any forklift specific safety information including where to stand when walking around the truck. Either written and/or oral testing is part of the classroom training. There is no minimum time requirement for the training.
Supervised Driving
The forklift operator has to learn how to use the counterbalanced lift truck while being supervised. The supervised driving needs to take place in a place which reflects the environment the driver will be driving in. This atmosphere should include the type of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures nearby, and the same vehicle and pedestrian traffic nearby as well. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.