Counterbalance lift truck Training
The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anybody using a counterbalanced lift truck be given classroom or lecture style training. They also require that a periodic refresher training in addition to a supervised driving course is completed. There is no required minimum time for the classroom training or supervised driving. Also, there is no frequency mandated for the refresher training either.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
The weight of the counterbalance forklift is utilized to balance its load using its own weight. The lift truck forks are in a fixed position but could be raised and lowered to secure and move loads. The forks run parallel to the forklift's body. OSHA require that people who will be utilizing counterbalanced forklifts on the job be correctly trained on the trucks while being in the environment that they would be utilizing them.
Classroom Training
Training either lecture style or in a classroom will offer lift truck and operator information for the truck you will be driving. Most training will include certain aspects like the weight and load capacity, height, how to charge or fuel the lift truck. It covers 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 operator of a forklift would need to learn to use the machinery while being supervised. The supervised driving has to take place in an environment which resembles the existing environment that the operator works in. This atmosphere should include the kind of terrain she will be traveling on, have similar surrounding structures close by, and similar vehicle and pedestrian traffic close by also. There is no required minimum number of hours the operator has to drive while being supervised.