10 OSHA forklift training courses
Forklifts are a must for any warehouse but workers require training to use them properly. To guard your employees from forklift-related accidents, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 OSHA forklift training courses. These online courses go over how to use a forklift, its different parts, how to conduct maintenance on it, and safety tips for daily lifting tasks.
Powered Industrial Trucks (US)
SC Training’s Powered Industrial Trucks (US) is a free online course that’s updated for 2024. It’s a mobile-friendly course that covers everything an operator needs from the different types of powered industrial trucks to essential forklift safety tips.
This course was created to be an easily accessible introduction to forklifts and other powered industrial trucks. It can also be used for refresher training for old operators or those who need to be informed of a new type of forklift.
This three-part forklift operation training course also comes with an assessment to help retain all the new learnings. With SC Training’s gamification and performance-tracking features, your operators will be greatly prepared for their evaluation.
Created by: SC Training
Length: 5-10 minutes per lesson (self-paced)
Certificate: Available
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Forklift Certification & Heavy Equipment Training
OSHA.com offers standardized courses that can be completed within an hour. They are compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s standards and are recognized by the International Competency Assessment Board. The Forklift Certification & Heavy Equipment Training program covers how to use and maintain a certain type of powered industrial truck like a stand-up type forklift.
Forklift Operator Training
This online course by Forklift Academy contains 30-minute video lectures covering all the OSHA regulations, training, and documents needed for a forklift certification. Your operators must complete a test before receiving a certificate and it has unlimited tries. This comprehensive program also comes in Spanish.
OSHA Forklift Certification Course
This OSHA forklift training course by OSHA Education Center is fully online and has an available certificate that can be downloaded and printed. It has six modules that cover how to operate, maintain, and inspect powered industrial trucks. The last module, in particular, covers all the skills and knowledge needed to work with a forklift.
Forklift Operator Training
This engaging course by the Evergeen Safety Council can teach you the features of a forklift, common hazards, and best forklift practices in under an hour. It’s based on standards set by OSHA standards and the Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation. If your workplace is in rough terrain, you can purchase an add-on for a certificate on Class 7 forklifts.
620 OSHA Forklift Certification
This online course by OSHAcademy is completely free and has 4 modules: Types of Forklifts, How a Forklift Works, Operating The Forklift, and Maintenance. It also includes knowledge checks after each module to help your operators train their newly gained knowledge. Certificates of completion, online and printed, are available for a separate price.
Created by: OSHAcademy
Length: 2 hours (self-paced)
Certificate: Available for 39.99 USD
Cost: Free; additional costs for certificates
Forklift Operator Certification
Forklift Academy’s mobile-friendly course is OSHA-compliant, available in Spanish, and just needs a login to start. The course is also designed by the standards set forth by the American National Standards (ANSI) and the CSA (Canadian Standards Association). Certificates are available upon course completion through PDF and are accepted by the USA and Canada.
OSHA Forklift Training Course
Omega Safety Training offers an in-person on-site OSHA Forklift Training Course for your new and old operators. Their instructions will use several methods like lectures, PowerPoints, and videos to review everything your operators need to know about powered industrial trucks. The course also comes with a hands-on inspection and two tests: written and practical.
Created by: Omega Safety Training
Length: 6 to 8 hours (self-paced)
Certificate: Available
Cost: 139.99 USD
Forklift Training and Certification
The online OSHA forklift training course from Liftoff Certifications grants a certificate that allows operation for all 7 truck classes and pallet jacks. It covers 33 topics and has about 30 tips on operating forklifts and other powered industrial trucks. Unlike other courses, the Spanish version is included in the English course so you can choose your preferred language.
Forklift Training
This OSHA forklift training course from AdvanceOnline has engaging activities, online resources, and audio narration to help you understand the necessary know-how you need for safe forklift operation. This includes proper forklift inspection, driving safety procedures, and safe load handling. It’s designed by safety experts to briefly cover everything under OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.178.
Forklifts are a must-have for a warehouse or any storage space that keeps heavy materials. However, with any heavy tool, there are risks for injury or serious accidents if your employees are not trained or certified by OSHA’s standards.
In a 2018 directive, OSHA estimated that about 97,000 forklift-related injuries happen every year–about 35,000 of those were serious injuries. Around a fourth of accidents in construction involved a forklift.
This is why your employees must undergo regular forklift safety training. By choosing the right OSHA forklift training course, your employees can safely use this powerful industrial tool to move around whatever is needed.
What is an OSHA forklift training course?
An OSHA forklift training course is a program for new and old forklift operators. According to OSHA Standard 1910.178(l)(2)(ii), it must be composed of formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation by a certified trainer. All three parts of the training course must be completed for certification or the completion of refresher training under OSHA guidelines.
Online forkline certification courses can satisfy the formal instruction part of an OSHA forklift training course. If you’re including an online course in your forklift training program, make sure to supplement it with a practical training component and an evaluation component so it’s OSHA-compliant.
How often does OSHA require forklift training?
OSHA requires forklift training for new operators. Then, after your operators are certified, they are required to undergo refresher training under certain conditions. To summarize OSHA Standard 1910.178(l)(4), here are the three main requirements for why an operator would need refreshing training:
- They must be reevaluated once every three years.
- They have been observed to use the forklift unsafely or have been involved in an accident.
- They have to adjust to a new workplace change like being assigned to a different industrial truck.
What are the OSHA rules for forklift safety?
OSHA has several rules that all forklift operators must adhere to. For example, minors, workers without forklift certification, and trainees who are not supervised by certified evaluators cannot use a forklift for any reason.
Other rules for safe forklift operation as stated by OSHA include:
- Wearing a seatbelt
- Having a clear view of where you’re going
- Lifting under the max load of the forklift
- Only lifting the proper things
- Wearing the proper footwear and gloves
- Doing proper forklift maintenance
- Forklifts are not leaking oil or grease
- Forklifts' tires are in good condition
Create a safer warehouse with OSHA forklift training courses
OSHA requires that forklift operators must know the ins and outs of the machine, how to use it, and how to prevent accidents. By following OSHA standards through refresher training, your workers can use the forklift without any risk of accident.
Luckily, learning doesn’t have to be another seminar. Use SC Training to make your annual training an engaging learning experience. Take OSHA forklift training courses to the next level. Sign up today to create a safer work environment.