DM Training

FORKLIFT TRUCK TRAINING COURSE SYLLABUS:

Training Course Opening
- Welcome/Introductions.
- Statement of training objective.
- Outline of training course programme.
- Issue training course safety booklets

Practical Training:

Introduction to the Truck
- Description of truck type: Identification of component parts to include:
- Battery compartment, battery, fork arms, carriage plate, securing pins and stop bolts, backrest, mast, chains, lift cylinders, lift and tilt mechanism, counterbalance weight, hydraulic tank, filler caps, rear steered wheels, front load wheels, rated capacity plate, overhead guard, load guard.

Controls and Instruments
- Location of all decals (Lift truck identification and capacity plates)
- Overall dimensions of the lift truck (length, width, height and weight)
- Location and function of all hand and foot-operated controls to include:
- Seat adjustment and where fitted, power safety cut-off micro switch, steering wheel and where fitted, steering assistor, parking brake, foot brake, accelerator, horn, key switch, lift, tilt levers, hour meters, direction control lever, load indicator (if fitted), battery/fuel condition meters.

Start, moving, stopping and steering the lift truck
- Correct procedures for mounting/dismounting the lift truck
- Procedure for starting/stopping the machine
- Selection of direction levers and drive
- Hold steering wheel, moving off and speed control on both directions
- Stopping, including safe stopping distances, emergency braking and use of the parking brake

Steering
- Steering/manoeuvring the un-laden and laden truck in unrestricted and restricted areas.

Hydraulic system
- Identification of main components of the hydraulic system and their functions
- Use of hydraulic controls: Identification and safe operation of all hydraulic control levers / switches.
- The travel and parked positions: the correct position of fork arms for travel and when parked, including all relevant safety factors and procedures associated with both position

Weight assessment and Lift truck stability
- Assessing weights of common loads and unfamiliar loads, including offset centre of gravity
- Explanation of the trucks rated capacities and how weight, distance and forces affect the stability of the machine.

Handling unladen and laden pallets
- Stacking/de-stacking procedures for e.g. palletised loads, metal corner post pallets, containers, etc
- Stacking/de-stacking procedures for industrial racking, free standing and bulk stacking

Driving on/off ramps and inclines
- Correct directions and procedures for driving up/down ramps both unladen and laden
- Dangers of turning on ramps/inclines

Road vehicle loading/unloading procedures
- The correct procedures and practices for loading various types of road haulage vehicles both from ground level and loading docks

Lift truck pre-use checks
- Demonstration, explanation and guided practice in examining the machine at the start of the day or shift and when taking over from another operator during the shift.
- In addition, course candidates will have been instructed in the procedures for reporting faults or defects and the need for maintaining a record of the examination

Refuelling procedures
- Explanation of the need for safe systems of work when charging traction batteries or refuelling gas and diesel machines and the different hazards which may be present

Theoretical Training:

Operator's Safety Code, Regulations and Procedures
- Responsibilities with regard to the appropriate sections of the HEALTH and SAFETY at WORK etc ACT 1974; the LIFTING OPERATIONS and LIFTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998 (LOLER), as applicable to the operator, and other relevant acts and codes of practice i.e. HSG 6 "SAFETY in WORKING WITH LIFT TRUCKS".
- The appropriate truck manufacturer's operating procedures manual (operator responsibilities) and all safety rules covering inspection and take-over of the truck, driving the truck, stacking/de-stacking, load handling, driving on ramps/inclines, vehicle loading and unloading, parking the truck, care of keys and safety aspects (both general and specific to employer's premises).

Testing
- Lift truck operator's "Basic Operating Skills Test" endorsed by RTITB Limited.
- Lift Truck Pre-Use Inspection
- Associated Knowledge Theoretical Examination

Training Course Closure
- Completion of training course critique.
- Complete course members individual 'Record of Training'
- Announcement of results testing.
- Outline of certification procedures
- Obtaining course member's views on training course