Expert Instruction for Your Forklift Operator Training Team
Proper forklift operation is critical to warehouse safety. In fact, nearly 100,000 forklift-related injuries are reported on average each year in the U.S., with 35,000 considered severe. Shockingly, 70% are preventable by following standard safety protocols. Apex is dedicated to warehouse safety as a team, from intelligent warehouse layout, expert system design, safety inspection, and repairs… to forklift operator training and certification. Let us guide your team to safety.
The conditions surrounding OSHA certification and refresher training are essential to understand and closely follow. Missing a step can open you to a costly fine or, worse yet, preventable worker injuries and equipment damage.
OSHA requires forklift operator training focused on:
- General safe operation
- Site-specific vehicles
- Site-specific hazards
Additionally, you must reevaluate operators at least once every three years or five years for Class 7 vehicles, and if the operator uses the vehicle in an unsafe manner — see below for specific instances. The Apex Training Program is comprehensive and will provide your team with the full scope of knowledge they need and safety practices to follow to ensure success.
See OSHA’s Forklift Training Requirement for Powered Industrial Trucks.
Note: Individual training courses are not available at this time.
Meet the Trainers
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Marc Rafac – Our Corporate Safety Program is in good hands under the leadership of Marc Rafac. The program trains and certifies operations teams and their trainers in-house as needed. Marc is OSHA certified in Class 1 – 5 and Class 7 vehicle training, and he is a Certified Fall Instructor. Marc also is certified to train JLG and Genie Class 7 vehicle operators. His extensive background in material handling equipment sales, after-sales support, and industrial equipment training enables him to provide valuable insight for our customers. |
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Tom Turcich – Tom has spent 17 years working with Apex. In that long tenure, he’s been responsible for developing the Apex comprehensive forklift training program and personally trained over 500 forklift operators. Tom is OSHA certified to train operators driving Class 1 – 5 vehicles. |
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Rich Tanner – Rich knows his way around a forklift, starting his career as a field technician. For the past several years, he has successfully focused on forklift operator training, so much so that Rich has trained over 700 operators to date –and counting. Rich is OSHA certified to teach operators driving Class 1 – 5 vehicles.
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Forklift Class Designation
- Class 1: Electric Motor Rider Trucks
- Class 2: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks
- Class 3: Electric Motor Hand or Hand-Rider Trucks
- Class 4: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks—Cushion Tires
- Class 5: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks—Pneumatic Tires
- Class 6: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors
- Class 7: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks
Apex Comprehensive Forklift Operator Training
On-site training is completed in a few hours for small groups and includes in-class instruction and hands-on application training. Your team is instructed and evaluated to ensure comprehension and, ultimately, certification. Your team must understand how to inspect the vehicle before ignition, operate the vehicle properly, and safely address different storage racking and warehouse applications. We cover it all.
- Classroom & hands-on training
- Driver operation
- Vehicle inspection
- Warehouse safety
- Electric & IC vehicle
- Class I – VII Vehicles
- Individual, group & trainer sessions
Refresher Training and Evaluation Per OSHA
Forklift operator training refresher courses ensure that the operator clearly understands the vehicle features and functions and possesses the skills necessary to operate it safely. Each operator must be evaluated at least once every three years and undergo refresher training for any of these concerning actions:
- The operator uses the vehicle in an unsafe manner.
- The operator is involved in an accident or near-miss incident.
- The operator receives an evaluation revealing concerns of safe truck operation.
- The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck than certified to operate.
- Workplaces changes may affect safe truck operation.
Apex Train the Trainers Program
We work with many operations where it is more economical and practical to rely on in-house trainers, but they still need someone to train the trainers — that’s where Apex comes in. Our professional training course is specifically designed to equip your team with the right tools to convey this critical content. In addition, we provide safety checklists for I.C. and electric vehicles, plus a comprehensive Glossary of Terms to provide a quick resource for instructors.
Train the Trainer programs are conducted on-site to ensure we cover vehicles and equipment unique to your operation.
Apex Instructional Video Series
Visit the Apex video library anytime to access our forklift operation instructional videos related to general use and specific pallet racking systems such as push-back rack, drive-in rack, and pallet flow rack. We offer both English and Spanish translation videos.
The Apex team is ready to help ensure you meet your warehouse safety goals. Contact the Apex forklift training team today to schedule on-site group instruction. It’s a great way to start the new year.
References:
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha2254.pdf
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/classification-of-forklift-trucks-2221172