Driving and operating a lift truck can be dangerous. Over 300,000 people each year are injured due to accidents that could have been avoided with proper training and safety measures. Before you add a new or used lift to your fleet, read over and take note of this list of frequently asked questions. It will give you an overview of what precautions and safety measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary hassle and trouble.

Do You Need Special Training Or Certification?

Because of the dangers involved with operating heavy machinery, it is a violation of Federal Law for anyone to operate a lift truck without proper training and certification. If you allow this practice to happen, it is reckless and an invitation for injury and lawsuits against your company.

Specialized training will teach you how to operate the machinery, teach basic safety rules, show how everything works, and how to handle problems and emergencies. Finding a training facility near you is easy. Just take a look through the phonebook or perform an Internet search.

Are There Age Requirements?

Operating a lift truck is not as easy as driving a car or pickup truck. There are special dangers associated with this type of equipment and as a result, the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits forklift operation by workers under the age of 18 in non-agricultural jobs. So if you want to drive the lift truck at a construction site or in a warehouse, you need to be 18 or older. On farms and at agricultural job-sites, operators must be at least 16 years of age.

Do You Need a Special License?

You do not need a specialized license -- as you would to drive commercially, drive a motorcycle, or become a chauffeur -- to operate a forklift on private property. If the operation of the forklift is restricted to your own private property or warehouse, there is no special license required. If your work requires driving on a public street in the loading or moving process, you may need limited licensing. A standard driver's license usually will suffice. Of course, all municipalities are different so you may want to make a call or check online to find rules and regulations in your area.

Do You Need Special Insurance?

The short answer is no, adding another piece of heavy machinery to your fleet should be covered under your general business liability coverage. However, you will want to talk to your insurance company to make sure your current coverage can accommodate the new liability and new expenses. Thankfully, any increase in premiums should be less than it would cost to insure a new car or take out a new plan. You may be able to get a reduction in your premium if you are able to show that your company takes safety serious and includes certification or safety training for your forklift operators. At the same time, it is important to note that any claims made on your insurance due to a forklift accident by a non-certified driver will raise your premiums exponentially. One more reason to get your workers and yourself certified.

Forklifts are a valuable resource and needed piece of equipment it many businesses. If you're thinking of adding a lift truck to your fleet take into consideration the age of the driver, your insurance needs, and safety issues to make the most of this equipment.



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