| Driving and operating a lift truck can be | | | | or become a chauffeur -- to operate a forklift on |
| dangerous. Over 300,000 people each year are | | | | private property. If the operation of the forklift is |
| injured due to accidents that could have been | | | | restricted to your own private property or |
| avoided with proper training and safety measures. | | | | warehouse, there is no special license required. If |
| Before you add a new or used lift to your fleet, | | | | your work requires driving on a public street in |
| read over and take note of this list of frequently | | | | the loading or moving process, you may need |
| asked questions. It will give you an overview of | | | | limited licensing. A standard driver's license usually |
| what precautions and safety measures should be | | | | will suffice. Of course, all municipalities are different |
| taken to avoid unnecessary hassle and trouble. | | | | so you may want to make a call or check online |
| Do You Need Special Training Or Certification? | | | | to find rules and regulations in your area. |
| Because of the dangers involved with operating | | | | Do You Need Special Insurance? |
| heavy machinery, it is a violation of Federal Law | | | | The short answer is no, adding another piece of |
| for anyone to operate a lift truck without proper | | | | heavy machinery to your fleet should be covered |
| training and certification. If you allow this practice | | | | under your general business liability coverage. |
| to happen, it is reckless and an invitation for injury | | | | However, you will want to talk to your insurance |
| and lawsuits against your company. | | | | company to make sure your current coverage |
| Specialized training will teach you how to operate | | | | can accommodate the new liability and new |
| the machinery, teach basic safety rules, show | | | | expenses. Thankfully, any increase in premiums |
| how everything works, and how to handle | | | | should be less than it would cost to insure a new |
| problems and emergencies. Finding a training | | | | car or take out a new plan. You may be able to |
| facility near you is easy. Just take a look through | | | | get a reduction in your premium if you are able to |
| the phonebook or perform an Internet search. | | | | show that your company takes safety serious |
| Are There Age Requirements? | | | | and includes certification or safety training for |
| Operating a lift truck is not as easy as driving a | | | | your forklift operators. At the same time, it is |
| car or pickup truck. There are special dangers | | | | important to note that any claims made on your |
| associated with this type of equipment and as a | | | | insurance due to a forklift accident by a |
| result, the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits | | | | non-certified driver will raise your premiums |
| forklift operation by workers under the age of 18 | | | | exponentially. One more reason to get your |
| in non-agricultural jobs. So if you want to drive | | | | workers and yourself certified. |
| the lift truck at a construction site or in a | | | | Forklifts are a valuable resource and needed piece |
| warehouse, you need to be 18 or older. On farms | | | | of equipment it many businesses. If you're |
| and at agricultural job-sites, operators must be at | | | | thinking of adding a lift truck to your fleet take |
| least 16 years of age. | | | | into consideration the age of the driver, your |
| Do You Need a Special License? | | | | insurance needs, and safety issues to make the |
| You do not need a specialized license -- as you | | | | most of this equipment. |
| would to drive commercially, drive a motorcycle, | | | | |