• Trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only:
  
  • Under the direct supervision of persons who have
    the knowledge, training, and experience to train
    operators and evaluate their competence; and
    
    
  • Where such operation does not endanger the
    trainee or other employees.
    

• Training shall 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.

• All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted
  by persons who have the knowledge, training, and
  experience to train powered industrial truck operators and
  evaluate their competence.

(3) Training program content. Powered industrial truck
operators shall receive initial training in the following topics,
except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not
applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's
workplace.

• (i) Truck-related topics:
  

  • A. Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions
    for the types of truck the operator will be
    authorized to operate;

  • B. Differences between the truck and the automobile;

  • C. Truck controls and instrumentation: where they
    are located, what they do, and how they work;

  • D. Engine or motor operation;

  • E. Steering and maneuvering;

  • F. Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);

  • G. Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use
    limitations;

  • H. Vehicle capacity;

  • I. Vehicle stability;

  • J. Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the
    operator will be required to perform;

  • K. Refueling and/or charging and recharging of
    batteries;

  • L. Operating limitations;

  • M. Any other operating instructions, warnings, or
    precautions listed in the operator's manual for the
    types of vehicle that the employee is being trained
    to operate.

• (ii) Workplace-related topics:
  
  

  • A. Surface conditions where the vehicle will be
    operated;

  • B. Composition of loads to be carried and load
    stability;

  • C. Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking;

  • D. Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be
    operated;

  • E. Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the
    vehicle will be operated;

  • F. Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle
    will be operated;

  • G. Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect
    the vehicle's stability;

  • H. Closed environments and other areas where
    insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle
    maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon
    monoxide or diesel exhaust;

  • I. Other unique or potentially hazardous
    environmental conditions in the workplace that
    could affect safe operation.

• (iii) The requirements of this section:

• (i) Refresher training, including an evaluation of the
  effectiveness of that training, shall be conducted as
  required by paragraph (1)(4)(ii) to ensure that the
  operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate
  the powered industrial truck safely.

• (ii) Refresher training in relevant topics shall be provided to
  the operator when:

  • (A) The operator has been observed to operate the
    vehicle in an unsafe manner;

  • (B) The operator has been involved in an accident or
    near-miss incident;

  • (C) The operator has received an evaluation that
    reveals that the operator is not operating the truck
    safely;

  • (D) The operator is assigned to drive a different type of
    truck; or

  • (E) A condition in the workplace changes in a manner
    that could affect safe operation of the truck.

• (iii) An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's
  performance shall be conducted at least once every three
  years.

(5) Avoidance of duplicative training. If an operator has
previously received training in a topic specified in
paragraph (1)(3) of this section, and such training is appropriate
to the truck and working conditions encountered, additional
training in that topic is not required if the operator has been
evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely.

(6) Certification. The employer shall certify that each operator
has been trained and evaluated as required by this
paragraph (1). The certification shall include the name of the
operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation,
and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or
evaluation.

(7) Dates. The employer shall ensure that operators of powered
industrial trucks are trained, as appropriate, by the dates shown
in the following table:

to operate a powered industrial truck.