The document outlines the importance of safety training for forklift operators, emphasizing that employers are required to provide a hazard-free environment and comply with OSHA standards to prevent costly accidents. It details the financial implications of non-compliance and the benefits of training, which include reduced accidents and improved productivity. Additionally, it highlights the types of training available and the responsibilities of employers in ensuring their operators receive proper instruction and evaluation.

1. Safety Makes Sense
Safety
Training
(800) 752-1882 training@forkliftsystems.com
Contact Us

2. OPERATOR
TRAINING
PROGRAMS

3. 04 The Cost of Accidents
05 When is Training Required?
06 Making Safety a Priority?
08 Training FAQ
10 Types of Training
12 What Our Customers Are Saying
14 About Us
15 Contact Us
Table
of
Contents

4. The Cost Accidents
OSHA requires that employers provide a hazard-free work environment and safety
training to employees. For non-serious violations, fines start at $12,675 per violation.
The penalty for willful or repeated violations is $126,749 per violation.
Fines and Legal Costs
The cost of forklift accidents involving injured workers can cost as high as $38,000 in
direct costs per injured worker and $150,000 in indirect costs.
Workers’ Compensation
Accidents involving forklifts involve loss of productivity from an injured worker, and
management time spent investigating the accident.
Loss of Production = Loss of Profits
It’s estimated that forklift damage can add as much as 25% to the cost of
repairing forklifts.
Equipment Damage Repairs and Replacements
A lack of safety in the workplace often leads to reduced morale, increased stress,
and higher turnover among employees. The average cost of replacing personnel
equals to about $30,000.
Loss of Staff
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5. When is Training Required?
05
The simple answer is anytime you hire a new employee that will operate equipment as part
of their job (even briefly). A refresher operator training is required every three (3) years. To
establish a safe operating environment for your forklift equipment operators and workplace
pedestrians, you need to provide training in accordance with OSHA standards. This training
must address both the specific type of equipment they will use and the conditions and
characteristics unique to their place of work.
* Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
•
•
•
•
Training must be equipment specific. Operators must be trained on ALL
types of equipment they will operate in your facility.
When conditions in which your lift trucks will operate changes. This
could include moving to a new facility, changing the type of rack you use,
introduction of docks, ramps, etc. If you are unsure if training is needed
under these new conditions, it likely is needed.
Anytime you make changes to your current equipment, such as changing
fuel types, adding attachments, etc.
If an employee has an accident or appears to be operating unsafely. It
is important to reinforce a safe work environment. Immediately get the
operator back into safety training to, reinforce safe operation of their
equipment.
FORKLIFT ACCIDENT ANNUAL STATISTICS...
NON-SERIOUS
INJURIES
61,800
DEATHS
85
SERIOUS
INJURIES
34,900
ACCIDENTS
PREVENTABLE
70%

6. Making Safety A Priority
FEWER
ACCIDENTS
LESS
DOWNTIME
INCREASED
PROFITS
IMPROVED
PRODUCTIVITY
If the owner or manager does not show an interest in preventing employee
injury and illness, then the employees will probably not give it much thought
either. Rhode Island Small Business Recovery Program
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7. Benefits Of Safety Training
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Trained lift truck operators create a safer work place.
A comprehensive forklift safety training program will
ensure that your employees know the rules & regulations of workplace
safety. Employees will be more aware of the different safety concerns in
their environment.
Trained lift truck drivers cause fewer work place injuries than un-trained
equipment operators. Train-the-trainer programs and forklift safety
training courses promotes stronger awareness of the need for a safe work
environment, which is key to workplace safety.
Trained operators are more time efficient. An OSHA forklift training class
gives your employees the knowledge they need to complete their jobs
while remaining safe at all times. It also gives them the confidence they
need to work safely in your company’s environment.
Trained operators cause less product damage than un-trained equipment
drivers. Employees who have completed a safety training course are likely
to feel more valued by their employers. This raises company morale and
productivity, and pride in the workplace.
Trained drivers can help lower your workman’s comp expenses. An
effective forklift operator training program will lower incident and accident
rates, thus producing higher productivity. An insurance company can look
at your safety training program and see that you have done your part to
protect your employees and ensure workplace safety.
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4
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8. Training FAQs
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines a powered industrial truck as a mobile,
power propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier materials. Powered industrial trucks
(often called forklift or lift trucks) can be ridden or controlled by a walking operator. Excluded from the
OSHA standard are vehicles used for earth moving or over-the-road hauling.
Previously, the OSHA standards required that any trained operators could operate powered industrial
trucks. The new standard requires employers to develop a training program specific to the type
of truck to be driven and the working conditions encountered. Employers must also evaluate the
operator’s performance in the workplace and certify that each operator had received the training
needed.
The employer is responsible for implementing a training program and ensuring that only trained
drivers who have successfully completed the training program are allowed to operate powered
industrial trucks. An evaluation of each trained operator must be conducted during the initial training,
and at least once every three years thereafter. The training and evaluation may be conducted by the
employer, if qualified, or by an outside training organization.
The new standards cover general industry, maritime, and construction. The general industry standard
is 1910.178(1).
What vehicles are considered to be
powered industrial truck?
How has OSHA changed its
powered industrial truck standard?
Where can an operator obtain the training required
to become a certified forklift operator?
What industries are covered by the new standard?
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9. The training must be a combination of formal (lecture, video, etc.) and practical (demonstration and
practical exercises), and include an evaluation of operator performance in the workplace. Truck-related
and workplace-related topics must be included, along with the requirements of OSHA standard. The
specific training topics are listed in the standard.
All training and evaluation must be conducted by a person with the necessary knowledge, training and
expertise to train operators and evaluate their competency. This may include the employer, another
employee, or other qualified person. The training and evaluation does not have to be conducted be a
single individual, it can be done by several persons, provided each one is qualified.
The employer must certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by the
standard. The certification must include the name of the operator, the date of training, the date of
evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training.
If an operator has received training for the truck and working conditions encountered, additional
training is not required if the operator has been evaluated and found competent.
Refresher training is required when the operator has been observed driving unsafely, been involved in
an accident or near-miss, received an evaluation that indicated unsafe operation, is assigned to drive a
different type truck, or if a workplace condition affecting safe operation changes. An operator
evaluation is required after the refresher training.
What type of training is required?
Who should conduct the training?
What does “certified” mean?
Does an operator who has already been
trained have to be retrained under the new law?
Is refresher training required?
09

10. Types Of Training
The benefits of forklift training are primarily focused on the safety of your people.
Ensure your forklift operator and pedestrian safety with one of our services.
FORKLIFT
OPERATOR
TRAINING
AERIAL
OPERATOR
TRAINING
FROM
$995/
person
FORKLIFT
TRAIN THE
TRAINER
10
FROM
$120/
person
FROM
$175/
person

11. FROM
$995/
person
AERIAL TRAIN
THE TRAINER
SPANISH MATERIALS AND VIDEOS
REQUEST QUOTE
SPANISH
LANGUAGE
OPERATOR
TRAINING
Our Training Includes
Operator Safety Pedestrian Safety Classroom Training
Equipment Inspection Ramp Operation Hands On Instruction
Forklift Stability Workplace Obstacles Written Evaluation
Propane Safety Battery Safety Training Certificates
11

12. The training program was awesome.
We got a lot out of it. Everything went great.
- Tony Krench,
Boswell Harley-Davidson
What Our Customers
Are Saying
12

13. Your trainer did an
outstanding job. We really
appreciate the thoroughness
of the operator safety
program.
- Ken Honeycutt,
Consolidated Utility
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14. About Us
Forklift Systems is a 40+ year private, family owned material handling business. Founded in
1978 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. We can help you meet and exceed OSHA
forklift training requirement standard 1910.178 by offering specialized safety training videos,
materials, and programs. Our professionally trained staff has studied the OSHA rules and
regulations. We understand what tools and information you need to help your company
achieve compliance. We can instruct your company trainers, safety department staff, or the
operators themselves.
Employers need an effective and comprehensive training program to meet the current
requirements and regulations. Forklift Systems delivers site-specific evaluations, complete
formal classroom education, and hands-on training. We offer “Train-the-Trainer” and
“Operator Training” classes that include ITA Classification 1 though 5 training packages, and
Aerial equipment safety training. We not only supply you the tools you need, we also show
you how to use them effectively from start to finish. Videos, Materials and training available in
Spanish also!
PROUDLY IN SERVICE
40+ YEARS Locations
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15. TENNESSEE HEADQUARTERS
884 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN, 37210
615-255-6321
training@forkliftsystems.com
ALABAMA HEADQUARTERS
132 West Park Drive
Birmingham, AL, 35211
205-945-1112
training@forkliftsystems.com
KENTUCKY HEADQUARTERS
4300 Chef’s Way #2
Louisville, KY 40218
502-654-8999
training@forkliftsystems.com
Contact Us
Do you have operator safety training needs right now? Can’t find something you are looking
for or need? Email or call us at one of the locations below.
Get in touch with someone
in equipment safety training
800 - 752 - 1882
www.forkliftsystems.com
15

16. THANK YOU
Forklift Systems Inc.
(800) 752-1882
training@forkliftsystems.com