Forklift Certification

If you are currently studying and preparing for your forklift certification, realize that you can enhance your chances for success if you thoroughly prepare in the following areas --

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Forklift operation.  Much of your forklift certification training will focus on the subject of proper day to day operation of your forklift.  For example, you should know not to drive up to any person who is standing in front of any type of fixed object.  Why? Because you could impale them -- and they would have nowhere to run to get out of the way.

Certain aspects of forklift operation are common sense -- and your forklift certification exam will probably quiz you along these lines.  For example, your forklift certification exam may ask you whether it is ever permissible to allow someone to stand underneath a load which has been elevated above their heads (of course not!)  -- or if it's okay to allow your arms and legs to stick out the sides, or hang through the uprights of the mast (again, no way).

Forklift safety.  Another aspect of your forklift certification exam will no doubt focus more or less exclusively on safety procedures.  For example, you should always remember that when you leave your forklift unattended -- even for the briefest periods of time -- that your forklift load should be completely lowered so that it is resting on the floor, the parking brake should be engaged and the engine should be turned off.

Pay special attention to procedures that must be followed when you are using your forklift on an inclined surface -- this will almost certainly be on a forklift certification exam, as not following these procedures can cause serious accidents and injuries.  For example, when you park your forklift on an inclined surface your wheels should always be chocked, and your rig should always be parked so that the load is pointing uphill, not downhill, to prevent the load from sliding off due to gravity.

 Playing well with others. Knowing how to properly operate your forklift when others are in your work area is of paramount importance.  For example, a common question on a forklift certification test would test whether or not you know to slow down and sound your horn when going around bends and corners -- or whether you know to travel backwards if the load blocks your view when traveling forwards.

Finally, you can be sure that your forklift certification test will deal with proper operating speeds and load capacity.  Not just observing a safe speed, but driving in such a manner that you can retain control of your forklift at all times.  And you had better know such things as the maximum rated capacity and maximum reach length of your forklift as well, so make sure you spend some serious time reading your operators manual.