OSHA Forklift Certification Requirements

Will online forklift training certify me to drive a forklift?
Will online forklift training help me get a job as a forklift driver?
Can I certify my employees to drive forklifts using SafetySkills® online forklift safety courses?

We get questions like these at SafetySkills all the time. We want to help our customers get the answers they need - but we believe in being upfront and honest because we don't want to mislead anyone!

The truth is: don't believe the “Certification” hype!

If you are interested in being a “certified” forklift operator then read the next few words VERY carefully.

You cannot be certified to drive a forklift by ANY online vendor.

Let me put it another way, just so we’re clear: online providers that promote forklift “certification” are just saying that to get a sale, and it is an outright lie! That said, even though you can't get "certified" to drive a forklift online you CAN receive a majority of your forklift (or other powered industrial truck) training online.

As a rule, OSHA is not in the business of certifying, accrediting or even approving trainers or training programs, whether they’re delivered in a classroom or online. The lone exception to this rule is OSHA’s 10- and 30-hour outreach programs. On the other hand, OSHA IS in the business of compliance. In taking this stance, OSHA moves the burden of “certification” to the employer. Employers are completely responsible for the training, evaluation, and yes “certification” of their employees. To put it plainly and in OSHA terms: when it comes to employee training, “the employer shall so certify”. As with all OSHA training, when it comes to forklift training the employee must be trained to the OSHA standard (1910.178).

Now here is where this standard differs from the majority of OSHA training requirements:

The employer shall ensure that “Training consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.” 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) The standard goes on to state, “the evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.” 1910.178(l)(2)(iii)

Now, unless an online training provider can send a competent person to your worksite to evaluate your performance as an operator, they cannot meet this standard to the letter.

There’s the problem, so now what’s the solution?

There are many solutions, but in this instance let’s try “cheap and effective” using a blended training approach. As stated before, the majority of your forklift training can be delivered online in a few hours, leaving only the driving evaluation. Due to OSHA’s very broad definition of who qualifies as an evaluator (any person in the workplace who has knowledge, training and experience), there is no reason forklift operators should be untrained. If you didn’t catch it I will repeat it, there are no special or additional training requirements for the evaluator.

So get online today and take our SafetySkills forklift courses. You can take all of the courses or just the ones you need. Titles in the course series are: Forklift Operator Training - Fundamentals, Forklift Operator Training - Safe Maintenance, Forklift Operator Training - Safe Operations and Forklift Operator Training - Safe Traveling and Loading. You can complete the courses at your convenience and then print your certificates. Taking these certificates to a potential employer with the information above will dramatically improve your chances to land that job and make it so that your employer (or future employer) only has to do to an in-person evaluation of your forklift driving skills to certify you!

Tattoo Health and Safety Regulations and Bloodborne Pathogen Training

As the weather starts getting warmer and winter chill has thawed, the tattoo itch starts into high gear. Most people start thinking about getting ink when they begin to bare more skin in the summer months. Be sure that your shop is ready for the influx of traffic and most importantly, make sure your artists are up to code with the OSHA regulations for initial and annual bloodborne pathogen training.

The OSHA annual training requirements for bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) states that all employees with occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials, receive initial and annual training on the hazards and the protective measures to be taken to minimize the risk of occupational exposure. An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure, including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment, should be included in the training. While OSHA is a federal agency that requires national standards, tattoo certification and licensing is regulated by state, county and city health departments. Be sure you check with your local health department to find out the what the additional requirements are in your area.

So what is the fastest and easiest way to get your artist update to date with their training? Try online safety training with the SafetySkills Bloodborne Pathogen course. The training requirements that are fulfilled by this course include: an explanation of the modes of transmission of BBP, information on the Hepatitis B vaccine and its effectiveness, an explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure, an explanation of the basis of selecting PPE, information on the appropriate actions to take in case of a potential exposure, and an explanation of signs and label/color coding. The course is only 30 minutes long and the user can print out a certificate as soon as the course is completed.

To further your shop's tattoo health and safety training, SafetySkills also offers a 10 minute Tattoo Safety online safety training course. This course is designed to teach tattoo artists the basics behind keeping a clean and safe work area to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens. The course does not replace Bloodborne pathogen training but can be used in conjunction with it. The course offers no certification but is meant to give beginners an overview of the recommended hygienic practices in a tattoo shop. Depending on your area of operation, you may also be required to obtain yearly training certification for CPR and first aid in addition to bloodborne pathogens. Safety Skills also offers courses in those subjects if you need them.

Ready to check out our Bloodborne Pathogens course? Click here to watch a course demo or set up an account to being training for yourself or assign the training to others.