Nice Job!
Thanks for sharing your findings, summations & your personal efforts. I'm certain this is useful to those involved in training. Hopefully, others will continue to contribute by adding to this list. There is a lot more proven knowledge & quality experience out there that can be beneifical to all.
Keep working to make the wheel rounder!

So far, here is a recap of the original question with the responses, so far: "Regardless of the time it takes, what should in-house/company instructors be able to DO as a result of the training they receive?"

1. Describe each workplace hazard AND the effective on-truck action the operator needs to learn to stay safe.

2. Coach a new operator in how to recognize each workplace hazard along with the appropriate safe action needed to remove or avert it.

3. Conduct a valid on-truck test of operator skills.

4. Locate relevant written regulatory text in response to any questions asked by new operators, their peers, or their management.

5. Objectively determine whether an operator has acquired and can use a skill or on-truck behavior that was taught to them.

6. Operate a truck, and discuss forklift safety as a "model" for others.

7. Talk about (share) examples of good forklift lessons learned from personal life examples.

8. [Before selection, volunteer-in ONLY if you (new instructor) can demonstrate the desire and interest to help operators improve their skills through instruction and coaching. If not, P-L-E-A-S-E DO something other than forklift instructing]

9. Teach the Test, Skills Check, and/or Evaluation.

10. Keep records and produce reports of training activities for the company, OSHA, HR and the Risk Management dept.

11. Produce, conduct, and evaluate a written training/instructional plan that includes teaching all relevant forklift related regulatory compliance rules required in your country or state. [Examples of such rules are:
in Canada: CAN/CSA-B335-04-Safety Standard for Lift Trucks, especially Section 7, Qualifications for Forklift Truck Trainers (pages 34-35); Section 6, Operator Training Requirements (pages 25-33); in the USA, 29 CFR 1910.178, and in the USA (Consensus Standards incorporated by reference) and New Zealand, ANSI/ITSDF B56.1]

12. Demonstrate on-truck (or facilitate a demonstration of) the operation of the specific forklift and attachment(s) needed for related job/task(s).

13. Analyze and Recommend "other" training related to the on-job safety of a forklift operator...that might be delivered by another trainer/resource: [Examples include: in the USA: OSHA 1910.120 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (General Industry) or OSHA 1926.65 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (Construction Industry); OSHA 1926.1400 - Cranes and Derricks; crane operator certification when they operate a forklift configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load when engaging in any type of CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.]

14. When unfamiliar, new, or special function attachments need to be taught, perform an "operant-level" (detailed) written task analysis of its on-job use. Identify and persuade an experienced person to demonstrate the on-job task during the training.

#15 Write procedures for, and administer, both post-incident re-certifications, and on-the-job re-evaluations.

I'm adding #16:

Recommend from a workplace analysis both training and NON-training solutions to improving the on-job safety and productivity of operators.

Given past discussions about the quality of training, especially in-house training, I believe there are a least a few more ACTIONS that trainers should be able to perform.

Thank you,

joe_m

If I understand Trade Show Dave's excellent point in "Instructor ACTION terms", I would add...

#15 Write procedures for, and administer, both post-incident re-certifications, and on-the-job re-evaluations.

I understand and agree with you to a point. I believe many of us agree that managment of many companies are reluctant to invest their employee time & money for fork lift training inspite of what OSHA dictates. Unless there is an issues that arises they get relegion real fast. Secondly, how an attachment is operated by the forlift to which it is mounted can vary from one brand to the next, for an extreme example, a five function paper roll clamp. Some companies will use valves but most will use a 4 way valve w/a solenoid activated 5 function where the design can vary for the activation. It would seem to me it would be more practical that a forklift training program not only include training on the forklift via a person that is competent & a segment from the attachment manufacturer. This would minimize total timealloted for "complete" forklift training. In this thread several have suggested that the trainer should have real time experience in the seat of a forklift. I would think it would be consistent that the attachment guy also have similar experience but it has been my experience that few if any of the attachmetn field reps have had real time in the seat of a forklift and operated attachments they represent in a real material handling situation. They do indeed show videos/cds of their product performing operations. Then which trainer issues the operator qualifcation certificate or are there two issued - potentional liability & finger pointing here --- Philadelphia lawyers luv that.
I'm just bring up points that I feel need to be considered. I was with a company and my group was responsible for developing training materials, including operator training & Train-The Trainer & conducted T the T programs. Before we went to market we received a lot of good in house direction from our legal counsel. Our materials needed his rubber stamp before it was released or presetned - the ole P/L concern here..

johnr j:

I believe trainers should advise employers what training they can do and what training is beyond their scope. For training that is beyond their scope, they should be able to recommend to the employer sources that could provide such training.

The best training for specific attachments would be a trainer from the equipment manufacturer who is familiar with the equipment and who has access to all manuals and the manufacturer's engineering department.

If a trainer wishes to become proficient in any equipment that they are not familiar with or have no expertise in, the trainer should attend a training class from the equipment manufacturer for the specific equipment involved.

joe_m:

If you review the following document previously mentioned in an above post, CAN/CSA-B335-04-Safety Standard for Lift Trucks, especially Section 7, Qualifications for Forklift Truck Trainers (pages 34-35), you will find many of the specific trainer skill sets that you are looking for.

cownd:

You may be interested in reviewing Section 4.10, Lift Truck Operator Medical and Physical Requirements from the same document, keeping in mind that any specifics must comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A previous above post tells you how to access this document.

Work with the employer to establish and administer post-incident re-certifications, and a system for on the job
re-evaluations.

Nice work - nice communication - don't stop sharing.
Once you are through, start compiling a similar list of all the DMV's in the US for those 16/18 yer old you are about to get their first drivers license. There read, test, parallel park competency testing is hard to fail. First rule traffic signs & signals, speed limits sighs are not suggesions or part of keeping America beautiful (Lady Bird Johnson did not like them too much she preffered Blue Bell's & Indian Paint brush. - which I enjoy seeing in the Texas spring time.)

Thanks for the added ideas for our "Instructor can DO list". Trying to stay with the original idea of describing in-house instructor skills as "actions", here is my "short-hand" version of the latest ideas offered:

9. Teach the Test, Skills Check, and/or Evaluation.

10. Keep records and produce reports of training activities for the company, OSHA, HR and the Risk Management dept.

11. Produce, conduct, and evaluate a written training/instructional plan that includes teaching all relevant forklift related regulatory compliance rules required in your country or state. [Examples of such rules are:
in Canada: CAN/CSA-B335-04-Safety Standard for Lift Trucks, especially Section 7, Qualifications for Forklift Truck Trainers (pages 34-35); Section 6, Operator Training Requirements (pages 25-33); in the USA, 29 CFR 1910.178, and in the USA (Consensus Standards incorporated by reference) and New Zealand, ANSI/ITSDF B56.1]

12. Demonstrate on-truck (or facilitate a demonstration of) the operation of the specific forklift and attachment(s) needed for related job/task(s).

13. Analyze and Recommend "other" training related to the on-job safety of a forklift operator...that might be delivered by another trainer/resource: [Examples include: in the USA: OSHA 1910.120 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (General Industry) or OSHA 1926.65 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (Construction Industry); OSHA 1926.1400 - Cranes and Derricks; crane operator certification when they operate a forklift configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load when engaging in any type of CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.]

14. When unfamiliar, new, or special function attachments need to be taught, perform an "operant-level" (detailed) written task analysis of its on-job use. Identify and persuade an experienced person to demonstrate the on-job task during the training.

I hope I've done justice to the added ideas. This list of "Action" items is starting to get interesting, I think! Yet, because of the various discussions over the years, and the general sentiment that there is WIDE VARIATION in the effectiveness of trainers, there have got to be a lot more "actions" we could add to the list. Please keep them coming.

Best wishes,

joe_m

Just to throw an idea that no one has touched on. How does a trainer (either in-house or outside) become adept in training with actual in the seat experience on forklifts fitted with attachments beyond a basic side shifter or fork postioner - attachments like paper roll clamps-single & double roll handlers, carton clamps, tire handling attachments, container handling top lifts, single/double block handling, marble/granite handling, single /double reach, basloid (single/double)etc.??
Obviously, it would be difficult or very highly unlikley to find a trainer that would have had experience on 3 or 4 of the multi function (some with 5 functions) attachments that Cascade, Balzoni, Long Reach, etc offer.

U.S. trainers should also be aware that additional training beyond the trainer's capability may be required of some forklift operators.

Examples include:

U.S. forklift operators may require an 8, 24, or 40 hour accredited course that meets OSHA 1910.120 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (General Industry) or OSHA 1926.65 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (Construction Industry) requirements if they will be engaged in such operations.

For a copy of the general industry standard, Google: OSHA 1910.120

For a copy of the construction industry standard, Google OSHA 1926.65
_____

U.S. Forklift operators may also require OSHA 1926.1400 - Cranes and Derricks crane operator certification when they operate a forklift configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load when engaging in any type of CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY. This standard applies to Construction Industry as well as General Industry forklift operators.

For a copy of the applicable standard, Google: OSHA 1926.1400

The problem with train the trainer programs are; you become a certified trainer just by passing (no experience necessary)! Because of this I have seen safety professional's right out of college become company in-house forklift operator trainers. On the other side I have seen dealer forklift sales people become forklift operator trainers as well. Neither had "real time in the seat" forklift operator experience. I see several problems with this. How can someone determine if a potential forklift operator is competent just by attending a class, passing a written test, and passing a driving course? I believe practical experience must factor in somewhere. Anyone that wants to or not, can become a certified forklift operator trainer if they attend and pass a certified operator "Train the Trainer" program. I believe a pre-requisite to attending a "Train the Trainer" class should include:
1. Logged forklift time by documenting experience through past job experiences with a set required minimum of hours on a truck.
2. Medical physical determining if you are fit to operate a forklift.
I am constantly looking for ways to enhance my training program, any feedback, suggestions or comments are always welcome.

I recommend forum readers review the following Canadian National Standard: CAN/CSA-B335-04-Safety Standard for Lift Trucks, especially Section 7, Qualifications for Forklift Truck Trainers (pages 34-35).

I also recommend Section 6, Operator Training Requirements (pages 25-33 and Annex D, Suggested Times for Classroom and Practical Sessions (page 54).

View CSA Standards Referenced in OHS Regulations

Google: ohsviewaccess.csa.ca/

Select Ontario and click on view on the following entry:

Ontario B335-04 English Safety Standard for Lift Trucks 2004 View | Buy

Note:

TDG = Transportation of Dangerous Goods. This is similar to the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Material Training.

WHMIS = Workplace Hazardous Material Information System. This is similar to the U.S. Hazard Communication/Right to Know Training.

Great idea Joe, I might add.....
The ability to communicate clearly and cover material in the exam questions or (teach to the test).
Knowledge and resources of the record keeping procedures for the company, OSHA, HR and Risk Management dept.

Thanks to joseph h and LorieL for your ideas. if I understand your recommendations for the "in-house instructor can DO" items, I might add them as the following "actions":

6. Operate a truck, and discuss forklift safety as a "model" for others.

7. Talk about (share) examples of good forklift lessons learned from personal life examples.

8. [Before selection, volunteer-in ONLY if you (new instructor) can demonstrate the desire and interest to help operators improve their skills through instruction and coaching. If not, P-L-E-A-S-E DO something other than forklift instructing]

I'm hoping others might join us to specify "can DO items" for new instructors. Who knows? If the list gets long enough, we might be starting a move toward developing Forklift Instructor Standards...something that we and others have discussed before!

Best wishes,

joe_m

The trainer must have a record of safety and be an example to others. Any skills he/she can teach are voided if the operators see them cutting corners.

I also think the trainer must bring a level of credibility by having driving experience on the lift. Being able to share life lessons and examples goes a long way.

Before an employer determines what skills/knowledge an in-house instructor should have, the employer should first determine if their chosen instructors have a personal desire to train others.