Upgrades and Safety Innovations to Heavy Construction Equipment

Upgrades and Safety Innovations to Heavy Construction Equipment

3 Facts about Training and Licensing for Forklift Operators

Veronica Leon

If you work in the logistics or hauling sector, you know that a forklift is a useful piece of equipment that helps in doing most of the heavy lifting. Forklift operators are part of a dedicated team of workers that can assist in the safe movement of materials and equipment in the workplace such as a warehouse or a construction site. For one to become a forklift operator, they must undergo some form of formal training before receiving a license. If you are a machine operator looking to upgrade to a forklift operator, here is what you need to know about the entire training and certification process in Australia.

The Need for Training -- Forklifts carry heavy loads of different shapes and sizes in limited spaces. Therefore, an operator must have received a thorough training, considering the safety concerns in such a niche. Before you obtain a license, you will have to practice how to maneuver the forklift without causing damage to property or injuring yourself and other people. You would also need to understand how to perform routine checks based on operational and safety procedures in the owner's manual and regulations. Since you will spend most of the time handling cargo, it is critical that you have practical skills on balancing the load, stacking items, and carefully unloading goods. You must appreciate that even when driven at low speed, as is usually the case, a forklift poses a potential risk for injuries and deaths.

High-Risk Work Training -- A forklift is categorized under the specially constructed vehicle class similar to cranes and earth moving machinery. Because such mobile machinery is operated in a high-risk environment, you will have to go through a risk-training course before you are issued a license. You will need to find a registered training organization (RTO) that conducts both training and assessment of trainees for high-risk operations. In addition to the formal training required by law, forklift drivers need to undertake refresher courses at least once a year to keep in touch with industry standards. Besides, either you will need a class LF license or class LO license. LF refers to the license class that covers an ordinary forklift with a mast and fork arms. Class LO encompasses an order picking forklift that has additional attachments like the load lifting capability.   

The Recognition Across States and Territories -- If you have a valid and current high-risk work license, you can work in any place in Australia. Therefore, you do not have to look for a new license every time you operate between states or territories. In Australia, a high-risk license is valid for five years upon which you must seek renewal almost two months before the expiry date. Because government officials often conduct routine inspections of equipment and operators in a work site, you might need to carry the license with you all the time. 

For more information about getting your forklift license, contact a representative at companies like All Onsite Training and Assessment.


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About Me
Upgrades and Safety Innovations to Heavy Construction Equipment

As a manager of a construction site, you have a lot of liability as well as a responsibility to your employees, and it's critical to take those matters seriously. Hi, my name is Marc, and I used to manage a construction company. A few years ago, I changed courses and starting working as a medical tech in an emergency department. Seeing a lot of injured people prompts me to think of the importance of safety, and in light of my previous experiences, I think a lot about the safety of construction work. I wanted to explore this topic through writing so I decided to start this blog. Here, I plan to focus on upgrades and innovations throughout the construction equipment industry and possibly provide a few extra safety tips as well. I hope you enjoy reading.

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