Counterbalance Forklift Training Programs
Anyone who utilizes a counterbalanced forklift should receive training, based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies. Training includes a combination of classroom training and hands-on driver training. Refresher training is needed periodically to keep operator skills up to date. OSHA does not specify a minimum time requirement for either the classroom or hands-on training.

Counterbalanced Forklifts
The counterbalance lift truck can balance its load due to a counterbalance built into the truck. Blades can move down and up parallel to the body of the truck. The forks do not rotate. Drivers who use counterbalanced lift trucks must receive training on the particular forklifts they will be driving and in the same workplace surroundings.

Classroom Training
The forklift operator would be taught the basics of the model of lift truck they will be utilizing in classroom training. They will learn info about the lift trucks specific things such as load, height and weight capacity. The driver will be taught the basics of fueling or charging the lift truck, depending on whether it is a battery-powered or gas-powered engine. Safety procedures pertaining to the particular truck, such as how to safely walk around the lift truck, will be included.

Supervised Driving
Driver training would be supervised to make certain that the driver would know how to correctly utilize the counterbalance lift truck. This practical training course will take place in the same kind of setting wherein the operator will be working. The operator would train on the same type of terrain with the same types of nearby buildings and other structures, as well as the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Refresher Training
Although OSHA requires periodic refresher training for counterbalanced lift truck operators, there are no specifications that determine the frequency of refresher training or its contents. However, for regular operators, refresher training programs should consist of classroom-style training.