Those seeking more governmental involvement in forklift training should keep their eyes on the activities currently being undertaken in Australia.
Australia is currently switching to a national forklift operator driver license system. The certificate of competency system and the mixed training requirements previously used by the OSH state and territory agencies are being changed to a Vocational Education and Training (VET) based system. Under the VET based system, the Department of Education and Training (DET) will be responsible for guiding forklift training within Australia.
The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) has established standards for trainers who must be registered and approved (registered training organisation*/RTO); has established standards for state and territory course registering/accrediting bodies; has established tools to audit forklift training; requires the use of approved course materials and defines minimum course content; has established testing tools and other things to ensure a national uniform training system for forklift operators.
National implementation is currently behind schedule. Queensland, Australia, however, has started their pilot program.
I'm not sure of the required hours of training for inexperienced operators. Queensland RTO's are currently listing 3 day and 4 day courses for such training.
Forklift drivers who pass the course and usually meet the minimum of 40 hours of supervised forklift operation will be issued a national forklift operator drivers license (for a license fee). The license has a picture id and is valid for 5 years. It is valid in all of the Australian states and territories.
The unique thing about this training is that it requires the forklift operator to obtain a license. The OSH regulations dictate that an employer cannot allow a person to operate a forklift without a valid license. In effect, the employer does not have to pay for the basic forklift training unless it desires to do so.
Employers are required under OSH regulations to give forklift operators any additional safety training required beyond basic safe operation given under the national licensing system. This includes such things as hazards and safe operation in cold storage, hazards and safe operation in confined spaces, dock safety, manufacturers operating recommendations and safety warnings for the type of forklift(s) operated, how to perform pre/post checks on the actual equipment used, etc.
This new national forklift training system is similar in many respects to the U.S. and Canadian Commercial Drivers License (CDL) systems. Maybe we should define all forklifts in the U.S. and Canada as regulated motor vehicles and turn the basic forklift operator training over to the Departments of Motor Vehicles or Transport Canada and establish a national uniform system.
* organisation - Australian spelling of organization
Showing items 1 - 12 of 12 results.
edward t -
For a list of inspectors by U.S. state, Google:
42 BENCHMARK - OSHA INSPECTORS BY STATE COMPARED WITH ILO BENCHMARK
Your state - North Carolina (U.S.) shows 116 inspectors and your state is approximately 1/8 the size of Ontario, Canada.
They have been hiring a few over the past few years. Most of them are in Toronto and SW Ontario and they have a few here as well. They are split between construction and industrial, but I do not know the percentage of each.
I do know that it appears that they are more aggressive on the construction side than they are on the industrial side. Just ask me. I can lead you to all the commercial businesses who don't do any forklift training whatsoever!
I must say that I was impressed when I read in the latest forkliftaction newsletter (forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.aspx?nwid=8107)
how many health and safety inspectors; "Ontario employs 430 full-time occupational health and safety inspectors".
I would seriously doubt any of the Southern States in the USA have any where near that number (but I don't really know).
Based upon the fact that 98.5% of all clients allow me one day per class, here are your answers:
Sit-down propane
Forklift theory 800-1230
Propane 100- 215
Film 22 minutes
Written tests (5) 2 forklift 3 propane 45 minutes
Driving 2-2.5 hours hours
Based on average of 7 staff, experienced, or somewhat experienced. Initial training, not refresher
1 full day
If client has a couple of novice operators, they will allow me 8-2PM the following day to work with them to get them to a level that is satisfactory, only!
Dan,
Can I ask how long your presentations last? How long the in-depth test takes? And how long it usually takes to put them through their paces? And how many trainees would you have in your class?
So it is just an ordinary forklift operator permit.
This is where I differ. Since I am not afforded the proper time, I rank the individual as to how qualified he/she is to operate the particular lift truck. Then I report in the Record of Training which tasks I recommend, or not, he/she should/should not undertake. Then it is up to my client to ensure that my recommendations are followed through. Once that paperwork is turned in, I feel very comfortable that I have done my task, stated my observations, and not liable for anything further.
And yes, I cover off everything from A-Z in my presentations, test everyone in-depth, put them through the paces, and eventually come to my conclusions
Dan,
Once the trainees go through the training and assessment they are issued with paperwork to apply to the Queensland government for a" LICENSE TO PERFORM HIGH RISK WORK" My concern is that some are getting their paperwork without being properly trained OR assessed. after receiving their "license" they are then allowed to operate either a reach or counterbalance forklift.
In Australia, do you refer a national forklift license to be a train the trainer permit, or an operator's permit? I just don't understand the terminology!
Yea Guys,
All the rules etc are in place 30 - 40 hours of training which look great on paper. But the old questions remain. Will they be enforced? There was an advertisement on the states (QLD) employment newspaper whereas one could obtain a NATIONAL forklift license for A$700 in ONE DAY. I reported this advertisement to the Queensland's health and safety authority and the advertisement is still there 4 weeks later.
When my manager sees this, his question to me is how come they can do it in one day and you take 3/4 days to complete training.
The Gov should investigate some of these licenses and maybe cancel a few to teach these cowboys a lesson.
i had heard rumblings of this a year or so ago, it looks like it's a done deal down under and we're probably not far behind. those who ask for more regulation should look before they leap. soc's are everywhere, they hear you and are doing all that is possible to oblige.
For more information:
Google: Forklift Operation - Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for a list of competencies and current Queensland RTO's.
Google training.com.au and click on Components of AQTF 2007 to download the following:
AQTF 2007 Essential Standards for Registration
AQTF 2007 Standards for State and Territory Registering Bodies
AQTF 2007 Excellence Criteria
Like that is going to happen in Canada, or even the States!
The only political party who would even think of doing such a thing in Canada is the New Democratic Party, a socialist regime, and they love to spend tons of money, and would probably bankrupt the nation. That is why they are not in power.
Governments here in North America, especially at this time, do not want to put added stress on the weakish economies, and are more interested in rebuilding the economies rather then worrying about operator safety.
That Australia system sound intriguing, maybe I should move there. Proper forklift training and balmy temperatures!
PARADISE!
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