![]() Improper use can cause serious injuries - and even death. Common on the jobsite, it's important all workers know how to use this equipment safely. Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if/when OSHA comes knocking, you’ll be ready to show them an organized, and up-to-date list of certified operators.To operate a forklift, workers do not need to be certified but must first be trained to CSA standards. ![]() This reduces time spent on manual tasks and takes the stress out of the tracking process. ![]() Unlike a spreadsheet, CertPanda allows you to upload and attach your files and documents, keeping all important details in one place.Īnother benefit of CertPanda as opposed to a manual system is that it proactively notifies you before any certificates or licenses expire. CertPanda is an online software that tracks certifications, licenses, qualifications, and associated documentation. The second and easier way to go about tracking forklift certifications is with software, like CertPanda. And without automated reminders to alert you when someone’s planned renewal is coming up, you could be facing safety risks and the aforementioned penalties. If you have more than a few operators to track, it can be time consuming, not to mention a juggling act with operators renewing at all different times. Manual tracking does have its downsides though. You can certainly add more information to your spreadsheet if it’s helpful for you. The first is to build and maintain a spreadsheet containing the operator’s name, training date, evaluation date, and name of person(s) performing the training or evaluation.This is what OSHA is looking for. You can easily alleviate the administrative burden and the stress one of two ways. It puts you at risk of not knowing an operator’s license has expired, and as mentioned earlier, that opens you up to safety concerns, a violation of the law, and hefty OSHA fines.īut don’t worry, putting a system into place isn’t difficult. A filing cabinet of hard copies that you periodically check isn’t a reliable system. If somebody asked you right now how many of your operators are up for their license renewal this quarter, would you know or be able to find the answer quickly? If not, that’s an indication you need to take a better look at how you’re tracking certifications. It’s a violation of federal law for “ anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so.” The final reason is that it’s a gainst the law. (Visit OSHA’s site to see what the penalties are today.) Many businesses, especially small businesses, simply cannot afford the costs of such fines. Depending on the type and nature of the violation, this could be tens of thousands of dollars. There’s a lot on the line if you’re discovered with an unlicensed operator or an operator with an expired license. The second major reason to ensure all your forklift operators are certified is money. Therefore, having an operator who knows the ins and outs of the powered industrial vehicle they’re operating, as well as the potential hazards of your warehouse or jobsite, keeps everybody safer. The most common types of accidents involving forklifts are turnovers and collisions and are usually caused by operator error. Like all heavy machinery, forklifts pose meaningful danger to the operator and those around them. Safety is just one of several critical reasons to ensure your operators are all certified and that you’re keeping track of their certifications. Did you know that according to numerous OSHA studies and investigations over the years, when forklift drivers are unlicensed, “ there are higher incidences of accidents resulting in serious injuries and fatalities than those operators who have been properly trained and certified”?
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