Forklift Safety

Forklifts or lift trucks are Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs), commonly used for the safe handling and transport of various materials, equipment, and, in certain lifting circumstances, people. PITs include self-propelled personnel lifts, tractor motors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, stackers, and other specialized industrial trucks and vehicles powered by electric or internal combustion engines. Each type of PIT presents different operating hazards. Cal OSHA requires users to be trained and evaluated to ensure they are competent to operate a powered industrial truck.

Cal/OSHA requires that anyone who operates a forklift needs to be trained prior to operating the forklift. Below are the options for forklift training completion.

Option 1:

Classroom Training

Complete Cal Poly online training including a practical evaluation.

To execute this option a supervisor must assign forklift training. To assign the training, go to the EHS Training page and choose "EHS Training Request — Create a Ticket".

• Your Name: (enter supervisor name)
• Your Role: (choose the appropriate answer)
• Employee Issue Type: (choose Registration)
• Short Summary: (request employee be assigned Forklift Training)
• Issue Description: Include the following:
  • "Assign Forklift Training [insert Learning Hub Code*] for [employee name & email address]
  • *Use Learning Hub Code: CALPOLY-CURRIC-EHS-FORKLIFT-OPERATION-AND-EVALUATION-2020EHSEHS forklift

When training is assigned the employee will receive an email from the Learning Hub for the following 5 classes:

• Forklift Operation 1: Safety Inspection and Maintenance
• Forklift Operation 2: Stability and Capacity
• Forklift Operation 3: Load Handling
• Forklift Operation 4: Traveling and Maneuvering
• Forklift Practical Evaluation. This is not an online class but an in-person evaluation of the students skills by a forklift evaluator. See Hands-On Training and Operator Evaluation below for more details.

Hands-On Training

After completion of training, employee must receive hands-on practical training. This training can be overseen by a supervisor or employee who is knowledgeable on how to safely operate the forklift. If there is no supervisor or staff able to provide hands-on training, Option 3 is highly recommended. Review the Forklift Safety Plan for additional information and tips for conducting hands-on training.

Operator Evaluation

After hands-on training, and after the employee is deemed capable of operating the forklift safely by their supervisor, a practical evaluation must be conducted. The evaluation must be conducted by a person with knowledge, training, and experience operating the forklift(s) assigned to the employee. If there is no supervisor or staff authorized to provide an evaluation, Option 2 or 3 is highly recommended.

Option 2:

Use an outside training vendor.

Cal Poly EHS approves the following vendors to conduct Forklift Safety Training and Evaluation:

• United Rentals, San Luis Obispo
• HERC Rentals, Paso Robles
• Central Coast Safety Training

Contact information for these vendors is provided in the Forklift Safety Plan.

Option 3:

Practical Evaluation Only

New and existing forklift operators can sign up for a practical evaluation. An evaluation class is offered every February, June, and October. The class must have a minimum class size of 5 participants or the class will be cancelled. Departments may contact Central Coast Safety Training and arrange to either have a complete Forklift Safety Training (instructions, hands-on training, and practical evaluation) or just a practical evaluation.

Contact Central Coast Safety Training (see the Forklift Safety Plan for contact information) for specific information, availability, and pricing.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Melonee Cruse at mecruse@calpoly.edu or 805-756-6664.