Forklift Competent Person Training
Definition of a Competent Person
OSHA defines a Competent Person as someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the work environment—conditions that may be unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous—and who has the authority to take immediate corrective action to eliminate those hazards.
Forklift Training Requirements
Per OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(iii), forklift operator training must be conducted by individuals with the necessary knowledge, training, and experience to effectively train and evaluate powered industrial truck operators. This ensures operators receive proper instruction tailored to the risks and operational characteristics of forklifts.
Applicability
This course helps satisfy OSHA’s training requirements for Forklift Competent Persons across various industries:
- General Industry: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178
- Construction: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.602(d) and 1926.451(g)(2)
- Oil and Gas: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178
- Maritime: OSHA 29 CFR 1917.43 and 1918.65
- Agriculture: OSHA 29 CFR 1928.57(a)(6)
Certification
To be fully certified as a competent person, students must demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to identify hazards and take effective preventive measures to safely operate forklifts. The employer is responsible for certifying that the operator is qualified, which occurs when another competent person evaluates and confirms their proficiency.
Training Documentation
Maintaining records of all safety and health training is important. Proper documentation can answer one of the first questions an incident investigator may ask: “Did the employee receive adequate training to perform the job safely?”
Course Objectives
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | List and describe forklift classifications and their related uses. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Identify and describe forklift safety components and safe driving principles. |
| LO 1.3.1 | Describe best practices in the safe operation of forklifts. |
| LO 1.4.1 | Identify and give examples of safe work practices related to forklift maintenance. |
| LO 1.5.1 | Identify hazards associated with forklift operations. |
| LO 1.5.2 | Identify, discuss, and give examples of Hierarchy of Controls strategies to mitigate forklift hazards. |
| LO 1.6.1 | Identify training requirements and discuss the steps in conducting on-the-job training (OJT). |