Forkliftaction.com

DISCUSSION FORUMS : Forkliftaction.communicate

My forum profile

Printable version

Discussion Forums Home

Forum:

Safety, training & legislation

Discussion:

Forklift Certification in Mass./RI

Number of messages: 10

START MESSAGE:

sam_b
Rhode Island, United States

How do I get certified to operate a forklift in Mass., and/or Rhode Island?
I can't find anything on the web except sales pitches.
Does a 2A Hoisting License cover forklift?

Posted 27 Jul 2009 00:36 AM

Report this message

REPLIES:

Sort replies by

edward_t
North Carolina, United States

According to my understanding of US federal OSHA, (CFR1910.178) it is the employer's responsibility to certify the operators of the powered industrial trucks in their facility, and the training and certification is required to be not only "truck specific" but "site specific", thereby documenting and insuring the operator is aware of the hazards of that location's operation.
I like to offer that the word "License" does not apply to powered industrial trucks, the accurate word is "certified".
So then, I guess as to your question of, "Does a 2A Hoisting License cover forklift?" the answer is; No, not really.

-------------------------
webhome = forktechs.com/mailman/listinfo/techs_word

Posted 27 Jul 2009 08:39 PM

Report this message

sam_b
Rhode Island, United States

Thanks for the info.
I was beginning to think that was the case.
It's just that I see jobs posted that are looking for people with forklift certification.
I've been using forklifts on and off for the past thirty years and have never been trained or certified.
Thankfully, I've never capsized one or dropped a load or injured anyone.

Thanks again

Posted 27 Jul 2009 10:06 PM

Report this message

johnr_j
Georgia, United States

Sam b

As Ed pointed out OSHA has specific requirements for "certification" and /or "qualification". A major key for any employer is that they need to have on file & in written form documentation how, when and where they were qualified (certified). Generally this is a non issue - until an accident happens & OSHA comes into investigate - the ducks need to be lined up. Many employers "ain't got a clue" on this requirement or is it called risk(y) management.

-------------------------
Have An Exceptional Day!

Posted 28 Jul 2009 03:11 AM

Report this message

TC17
Wisconsin, United States

Hello Sam, if you want a powered industrial turck certification to help with your job hunt, you can check with the local Technical College, if you have one near you. A lot of times they have a program where they have trainers come in and teach these classes. We do have one here that offers that option, but as stated earlier in one of the posts, each employer must make sure that you are certified and qualified to operate a lift truck in a safe manner and that site specific training is conducted. We look for personnel with lift experience, but we always put them through the company training program, no matter how much experience they have. Good luck and I hope that you find what you are looking for.

-------------------------
Wisconsin, USA "Be safe"

Posted 28 Jul 2009 05:37 AM

Report this message

joseph_h
Michigan, United States

sam b:

Using the Google search engine, Google: powered industrial trucks 1910.178

Click on the osha.gov 1910.178 url (uniform resource locator)

Also click on the osha.gov 1910.178 App A url.

The training requirements in this standard are the same for construction, general industry, and maritime occupations.

The training requirements start with 1910.178(l) (operator training).

The certification requirements are spelled out in 1910.178(l)(6) (certification).

If you click on the blue highlighted numbers in the on-line osha standard, it will bring up osha interpretations for that topic which you can click on for additional information.

The advertisements you see for "certified forklift operators" indicate how ignorant employers are of the OSHA requirements.

Modified 28 Jul 2009 07:18 AM
by poster.

Report this message

edward_t
North Carolina, United States

I would also note that if you come in to an potential employer who asks if you are a certified forklift driver. and say "I have operated a forklift, pretty much like what you have here, for many years, but I am really sure that the certifications have to be site and truck specific and must be provided by your company, so the previous knowledge I have comes with me, but you have to provide the current and proper paperwork", after they "check the facts" then they will/should consider your knowledge of forklift certification as more valuable than the piece of paper of a certification.

-------------------------
webhome = forktechs.com/mailman/listinfo/techs_word

Posted 28 Jul 2009 08:36 AM

Report this message

sam_b
Rhode Island, United States

Thanks everyone for the good information.

Posted 28 Jul 2009 11:07 AM

Report this message

dan_m
Ontario, Canada

I believe the term is competency, and not certified.  The governments of Canada and the US describe competency as Knowledge, Training, and Experience.

So, once you go through the training process, and you are successful, you are then deemed competent, and not certified.

Certified is a rubber stamp on some piece of paper saying you passed the course, regardless of how meaningful or not the course actually was.  Competency is the ability for one to operate the lift truck in a safe and professional manner.

All too frequent, businesses advertise in the local newspaper for certified operators.  Wrong description!
They are seeking operators with experience so they do not have to shell out the money to have them trained, many-a-times, and many do not bother training these employees as to their specific facilities, as outlined in the law books.

Be realistic, and not idealistic.  I know that there is the letter of the law, but when it comes to everyday practice, it is not followed very well in many, maybe not all cases, but many cases.

I train at a A&M college on a monthly basis. At least when my students successfully complete the course, I issue a laminated digital photo-ID permit, a personalized wall certificate, and a Record of Training particular to the person's training, that can be attached to the resume or application. I do not know where many of my students will be working once they have successfully completed the course.  And I can guarantee you that any of the potential employers are merely seeking a license, showing that the hiree has been trained, and 'certified'.

There are no provisions in the CSA guidelines or Ontario laws for permits, but they do specify the Record of Training, vaguely.  But employers are always seeking that magic permit.  The permit is not the requirement but the Record of Training is the one document the employer does require.  Unfortunately, most HR and senior management know nothing about the occupational laws and guidelines, and figure that the permit, or copy of, is all they need.

Boo-hoo!  Won't you be surprised when the labour officers come knocking on your door, especially when there has been an incident, and requests to see the Record of Training, and all you got are copies of permits.

So, who is too blame in all of this?  The operator (whom I train right from wrong), the supervisor, HR or senior management of the hiring companies, or the upholders of the laws in each province or state or country?

Pity, isn't it?  Laws are put forth and not enforced to the degree they should be! So, in an idealistic world, yes, you must be trained on a class specific lift truck in the specific facility you will be working in.  In the realistic world, all the employer cares about is the permit, and if they think they are smart, they may even take a photocopy to put in that person's HR file.

Some system that is in place, isn't it?

Modified 4 Aug 2009 01:39 PM
by poster.

Report this message

TC17
Wisconsin, United States

Nicely put Dan, another thing I have come across is the old adage.... We do not have time to train them, and that is were I come back and say... You do not have time to NOT train them!!

-------------------------
Wisconsin, USA "Be safe"

Posted 4 Aug 2009 11:51 PM

Report this message

Forkliftaction.com accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to the rules. Click here for more information.

FORUM GLOSSARY

Click for description.

FORUM

DISCUSSION

MESSAGES

NICKNAME

SIGNATURE

FORUMS

Discuss: Industry News & Whispers

Discuss: Conferences, trade shows & other events

Discuss: Mechanical Troubleshooting

Discuss: Technical arena. Did you know? Who knows?

Discuss: Machines. Forklifts, stackers, telehandlers, container handlers and reach stackers

Discuss: Business issues

Discuss: Safety, training & legislation

Discuss: Fun at work