EH&S has developed a forklift operator safety certification program and can provide forklift operator safety training for employees working in departments, at field stations and engaged in work/research operations that use these types of equipment.
No individual is permitted to operate a university-owned lift prior to successfully completing this certification training program, regardless of previous experience or certification. Trainees/operators must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license.
Forklift Safety Written Program
All departments that own and/or use forklifts must post the below rules posters in the assigned department buildings and all employees that use the equipment must be shown where to find the posters.
Departments that own, lease, rent and/or otherwise operate forklifts and other types of industrial lift trucks must:
- Select and then purchase or rent appropriate equipment for job tasks based upon the work-environment and the completion of a job/task hazard analysis.
- Ensure personnel are properly trained, licensed and authorized to operate the specific type(s) of owned/rented equipment, in accordance with established campus guidelines. The department must post a list of trained and authorized operators in a conspicuous location.
- A familiarization training must be requested when ordering and conducted by the rental company for any new type of forklift and documented prior to use. Documentation must be sent to the UCR Safety Engineer to add to the employee's records.
- Ensure all operators are completing and documenting pre-use inspections and worksite safety assessments. Worksite safety assessments should be posted and accessible to all employees.
- Conduct required annual and frequent documented safety inspections and preventive maintenance of the equipment with a manufacturer certified technician vendor.
- Purchase and supply all required personal protective equipment (PPE) for persons trained and authorized to operate forklifts and industrial lift trucks.
- Assure operators adhere to specific safe-work practices whenever using these types of powered industrial equipment including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
- Approve Contractors/Vendors to use forklift/industrial lift truck equipment on their premises, and do not allow contractor/vendor personnel to use Department-owned equipment without express written permission from the UCR Safety Engineer. Note: Contractors/vendors must have proof of training and licensing to operate this equipment equal to or exceeding the established requirements for UCR personnel.
Pre-Use inspections are required prior to use every shift. Below is a link to an online inspection checklist and a paper copy checklist. The online version logs in a spreadsheet managed by EH&S. Paper copies should be scanned and stored in department files that can be accessed when requested by EH&S. Departments are responsible to make sure inspections are completed.
Pre-Use Inspection Checklist
Forklift Authorized Operators List
Worksite Safety Assessments
Regulations:
Cal/OSHA Regulation 8 CCR 3668
