Forklift drivers are the ones who are mostly employed in warehouses and in companies which requires forklifts for moving heavy and big products from one location to another. Forklift drivers are also called as forklift operators. Forklift machine works on the principle of hydraulic lifting mechanism. In this machine, the fork is that part of the machine which is used for lifting the heavy products and then shifted to other location. However, all the goods cannot be lifted using the forklift, in that case the forklift driver will have to load the goods on their own. This job is usually strenuous and probability of getting injured is also high.
Job Responsibility:
Another point which should be remembered is that while driving the forklift machine, the operators must take utmost care and place the goods or the materials in order so that the goods do not fall from the machine on the way.
Skills:
Work Nature:
Forklift drivers have to be physically fit as their work demands them to do a lot of physical activity. Regular phenomena that have been observed are that most of the times the drivers are exhausted after their work hours, specifically because of the physical stress at work. They usually work eight hours a day. However, sometimes they may have to stay back after their working hours, when the subject matter has been delayed. Their work conditions might get difficult depending upon the weather change. In such cases, they must ensure to wear the appropriate safety wear. In some rare cases, they may have to do admin work such as, filing the records, number of goods shifted, their work schedule, etc. Salary of forklift drivers varies from one company to another. However, in all such places, these drivers are paid on an hourly basis.
Qualification and Training:
There are no specific educational requirements for forklift drivers. Someone who has a high school diploma can apply for this post. Even a GED should do the trick. All the drivers must have a valid license which will work as an advantage for their job profile. For clearing this test they would have to take several driving tests, which will be assessed by the senior drivers or by the officer on duty. After they are hired in a particular organization, they have to go for on the job training process. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set up certain guidelines and all the trainings are done based on those guidelines. After a few years of work experience, if their supervisors find the operators capable of handling important tasks, then the forklift drivers do get promoted to the senior posts.
The forklift drivers must have a driver's license which is strictly for driving this machine. This has to be validated by a higher authority. The training part plays the most important part for a forklift driver, as that is how they get to learn the technicalities involved in driving that particular vehicle and enriches their understanding about the machine and eventually driving it by keeping all the guidelines in mind.
According to the annual report presented by Bureau of Labor Statistics, forklift driver or forklift operator's job is not witnessing any growth in this sector. It has been observed that for the past few years the statistics regarding this sector has not been able to leave much of an impact on the country's economy. Another part which is more disappointing than anything else is that analysts do not see a bright future for the forklift drivers. However, there still can be a slight hope if we consider retail sectors into consideration. In such sectors, there is a probability for the forklift workers to find a job opening.