NigCareers

Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a forklift driver. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a forklift driver.

 

Who is a Forklift Driver?

A forklift driver, often known as a forklift operator is highly sought-after employment that entails transferring products to designated storage locations. Transporting and stacking objects is the responsibility of a forklift driver.

Is there any difference between a Forklift Driver and a Material Handler?

The primary function of a Forklift Driver is to operate and maintain forklift equipment. Usually, a material handler has a forklift license and will utilize forklifts as appropriate but their main responsibility is inventory organization and upkeep. This includes reviewing warehouse stock levels, preparing shipments for delivery, and organizing other aspects of logistics such as storage and transportation.

 

Tips for Carrying Out Your Duties and Performing Well as a Forklift Driver

Drive the forklift carefully: While driving a forklift at your place of work, you can apply your understanding of safety compliance to curb the likelihood of an accident occurring.

Learn inventory processes: Learning about your workplace’s inventory policies and processes will help you create efficient forklift operations and keep organized at work.

Perform daily maintenance checks: You can exercise your attention to detail while performing forklift maintenance checks and tasks. This can assist keep you and others safe at work while also allowing operations to run smoothly.

Forklift Driver Job Description

Below are the forklift driver job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a forklift driver job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

• Unload and load commodities from various vehicles.
• Move pallet-packed materials around the site or storage facility.
• Check the loads for security.
• Carry out basic equipment checks and maintenance.
• Follow written instructions and preserve full records.
• Follow all health and safety regulations.
• Maneuver forklifts safely in busy industrial settings.
• Stack and unstack large numbers of goods safely onto shelves or pallets.
• Move materials from storage to loading areas.
• Unload deliveries and transport goods to designated storage facilities in a safe manner.
• Check for spills or obstacles in the forklift driving zones.
• Check forklift equipment for damage regularly.
• Use industrial plastic wraps and wooden pallets to stack and package products for delivery.
• Keep up to date on health and safety standards, as well as forklift operating procedures.

 

Qualifications

• Possession of a Forklift Driver Certificate:  This certificate verifies that you were trained following the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment’s code of conduct.
• Possession of at least two GCSEs in English and mathematics as employers are more interested in applicants who have received the necessary training to operate forklifts safely in a warehouse. This means that job seekers are supposed to have a Level 2 Certificate in Forklift Truck Operations from a college course or forklift training and apprenticeship program.
• Forklift operators must have good hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and eyesight (with or without corrective lenses). They must also be physically fit, as they may be required to lift big items (up to 20 kilograms).
• accurate knowledge of the fuel requirements of different forklifts, such as diesel, LPG, CNG (compressed natural gas), and battery-powered models.
• Strength and endurance to work long shifts in cramped, noisy, and possibly hazardous industrial situations are required.
• Ability to coordinate the movement of goods in a team environment with other employees, such as Lorry Drivers or Warehouse Packers.
• Knowledge of warehouse health and safety requirements.
• Understanding of industrial storage processes, such as how to stack pallets on top of one another.
• Capability to estimate and record inventory stock.
• Working on construction projects also necessitates the possession of a Constructions Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

 

Essential Skills

The following are the essential talents required for this role:

• Physical Abilities: Forklifts come in a variety of styles, each having slightly distinct controls and components. Which you must be aware of so that you do not attempt to raise anything that would exceed them and cause an accident.
• Outstanding mathematical skills: You may be required to calculate loads and comprehend the figures on a bill of lading. Effective forklift operators are numerate.
• Obedience to Safety Regulations: You must make safety a priority. Forklift operators who are careless jeopardize their own safety as well as those of others. Therefore, you must always be aware of your surroundings and as well adopt the safety devices provided, inspect your equipment on a regular basis, and follow any safety procedures in place to protect yourself and your coworkers.
• Proper Communication Abilities: Forklift drivers must be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, vendors, and, in rare instances, customers. Those who can converse well and listen closely have the best chance of success as forklift operators. Communication by email, phone, and written notes also comes necessary in this skill.
• Flexibility: Priorities shift frequently on the shop floor. Forklift operators must be able to adapt to rapidly changing situations. Because operators may need to adapt to new technology or procedures, they must be open to new ideas and improvements. Drivers who are stubborn will lose a large amount of their value.
• Ability to Collaborate: Forklift drivers do not operate in a vacuum. Every day, they must collaborate with others to ensure that things run smoothly. Most workers are required to work as part of a team, but forklift operators are especially important because they are in charge of carrying items quickly, efficiently, and safely.
• Forklift operators frequently work in tight spaces and must be able to maneuver and place things on high shelves and this demands precise judgment to prevent the risk of accidents.
• While reliability is not a technical skill, it is one of those soft skills that you should not lack. Dependability is a crucial trait for this career path.
• Forbearance: Forklift loads can be uneven, and the forklift’s rear-wheel steering may increase the risk. Forklift drivers may use patience before moving cargo to ensure its security. This can assist increase efficiency and safety in a warehouse.
• Must be apt to teach: A warehouse worker’s ability to instruct others in warehouse processes is a major asset to a business.
• You ought to pay attention to detail when completing maintenance checks of forklifts and other equipment at work to verify that everything is in functioning order. Staying present while working will allow you to detect any problems with a forklift’s operation as soon as possible.
• The ability to stay organized at work may help you stick to a tight deadline as a forklift driver transferring merchandise for outgoing shipments and making room for new shipments in a warehouse. Warehouse forklift operators are responsible for more than just driving forklifts. These responsibilities can be completed more quickly if you have good organizational abilities.
• Ability to Manage Stress: To keep up with a fast-paced work environment, forklift operators routinely labor under duress. Stress management skills can help you stay focused at work and prioritize responsibilities as necessary. It can also assist you while you are going in various directions at the same time.
• Possession of relevant training & certification: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace welfare standards that are particularly significant in warehouses and construction sites. Because forklift drivers frequently work in potentially hazardous areas, OSHA certification is required. If you want to work as a forklift driver, enroll in and complete an OSHA-approved training program. Local training schools typically offer these courses. The following topics will be covered in an OSHA training program:
• Safety tips
• OSHA rules
• Driving techniques
• Forklift maintenance.

 

How to outline your skill on your Curriculum Vitae to attract employment

• Include any education or credentials you have.
• Describe how your abilities aid you at work: While listing talents on a resume is recommended, you can highlight how you use your forklift driver skills in a motivational letter.
• Add any pertinent experience you have: Include any previous experience as a forklift driver or in a similar capacity on your CV and mention it in your cover letter.
• Add up the talents listed in the job offer: You might improve your chances of being hired by mentioning skills that are listed in the forklift driver job offers.

 

How to hone your forklift driving abilities

Consider the following ways to improve your forklift operation skills:

Obtain relevant certifications: To increase safety compliance and other hard skills, you can get certifications in safety and forklift operation.

Practice active listening: You can practise active listening while working to enhance your communication skills and attention to detail.

Arrange jobs in order of importance: Prioritizing tasks can help you improve your stress management skills.

Get your hands on loads: Learn how to efficiently secure forklift loads to operate a forklift safely.

Put on appropriate clothing: Forklift operators can wear fitting, high-visibility clothing to reduce their risk of injury while performing warehouse or construction duties.

 

How to Become a Forklift Driver

The steps required to become a forklift driver are as follows:

1. Choose the right forklift class: Forklifts are not all created equal, with differences in how they operate and the functions they perform. Conduct some research to determine which forklift classification is appropriate for you based on the opportunities available and the needs of the companies you want to work with. There are seven primary forklift classes that can be certified.
2. Locate a training provider: Find a course that meets or exceeds the Canadian Standards Association’s lift truck regulations (CSA). Check online evaluations of training institutions to be sure you’re choosing the best one with knowledgeable instructors to help you get your certification.
3. Obtain In-class training: In-class training not only teaches the fundamentals of forklift operation, but it also teaches workplace safety, which includes spotting potential workplace hazards as well as other elements that affect the lift truck’s performance. Alternatively, instead of in-person training, select a reputable forklift driver e-training course and work toward becoming forklift certified online. This method is a carbon copy of the classroom lecture, official education, and course evaluation. However, this does not provide them with a hands-on demonstration or actual forklift operation. Take this course from the comfort of your own home right now.

The most favourable training method is the use of the internet. You can have your employees take the online certification course instead of going to school if you don’t want to send them to school. There are a lot of colleges that offer this type of training; ask your coworkers for recommendations.

4. Practical training and performance evaluation: Similar to getting your driver’s license, your practical training will provide you time behind the wheel to get comfortable operating the equipment and putting your classroom information into action. Your practical training will conclude with an evaluation by a professional safety trainer.

 

These are the steps to take to obtain the license:

• Assess Yourself What Forklift You Want to Get Trained On: If you’re new to self-assessment, you might be asking why it’s so crucial. At this point, you must decide which sort of forklift truck you wish to operate, as OSHA requires that the training course be tailored to the truck (and by “type,” OSHA means the distinctions between a sit-down rider truck and a stand-up truck, or an order-picker and a counterbalance).
• Find a training school where you want to attend the course once you’ve thoroughly examined yourself and prepared what you’ll need. You will also discover a listing of training schools on our website; simply click on the location/country where you reside.
• If you are currently employed, your employer is responsible for providing you with the necessary training. It is the company’s responsibility to provide that for you.
• Enroll in a Forklift Certification Course: The forklift training school’s job is to pass on knowledge based on OSHA guidelines.

You have two (2) options for taking the course: online or in person.

If you choose the first, you may be able to discover a private training college that offers online certification on the internet. We strongly advise you to avoid this path. Because this training approach does not conform with OSHA regulations, you cannot be certain that you will be able to obtain forklift certification.

In-person training is the best option for forklift training. The course can be completed in a day or two.

• Attend the Classroom Lectures: This section of the training normally lasts six (6) hours, and the topics covered include OSHA standards, general safety and health, safe forklift operation, and a variety of other specialized topics. This section will teach trainees how to prevent workplace mishaps that can result in lost time injury (LTI), property damage, and injury.
• Pass the Written Examination: Trainees will be given a questionnaire to complete at the end of the 6-hour classroom lectures. The passing mark is usually 75 percent, but it varies depending on the school’s training standards.

The written exam will verify that pupils have learned enough from the lectures.

• Perform Hand-On Forklift Operation: You’re ready for the hands-on training now that you’ve finished the classroom lectures and passed the test.

During the practical training, the instructor will demonstrate how to operate a forklift while the student completes the exercises. The goal is to do the task safely and efficiently.

The trainer will assign you to complete a variety of activities, including pre-operational inspection, loading, and material lifting from an elevated platform, as well as more difficult jobs like maneuvering in tight places, lifting large loads, and moving on an incline, among others.

Practical training is not something to be taken lightly. This is where the coach will give you feedback on your performance. If you please him with your performance, you will be sure to pass the course.

• Evaluation: The trainer will grade your performance based on the forklift skills you demonstrated.

When you’ve finished the classroom lecture, passed the written test, and got a good rating on the driving simulator. You can now be certified by the trainer.

You’ll get your certification and/or forklift license card, which you can show off when applying for jobs or when your boss asks.

Every three years, the certification must be renewed. For it to be renewed, you must attend a refresher course.

 

Where to Work as a Forklift Driver

A forklift can work in the following places:

• Manufacturing firms
• Freight firms
• Port firms
• Forestry firms
• Horticulture firms
• Supermarkets

 

Forklift Driver Salary Scale

Forklift operators’ pay is determined by the industry they work in as well as their level of expertise. They do, however, typically earn between minimum wage and $22 per hour.

A newly qualified forklift driver might make between £17,000 and £22,000 per year.

Forklift drivers with some experience can earn between £20,000 and £30,000 per year. Senior forklift drivers can earn more than £30,000 per year.

Transportation Distribution and Logistics

Tags: Forklift Driver, Forklift Driver Job Description, Forklift Driver Qualifications, Forklift Driver Salary, Forklift Driver Skills, How to Become a Forklift Driver, Job Description, Who is a Forklift Driver