Forklift operator

Forklift operators are responsible for operating forklifts to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise. They are accountable for the safe and effficient operation of forklifts. Moreover, they perform the filling of orders and check the accuracy of other orders.

The duties of a forklift operator include, but are not limited to:

• Loading, unloading, shipping, and receiving warehouse items.
• Transporting materials to different locations within the facility.
• Optimizing loads to ensure operational efficiency.
• Securing loads to the machine before transportation.
• Inspecting for damages to vehicles.
• Scheduling vehicles for maintenance and repairs.
• Operating and managing technical equipment.
• Managing inventory by utilizing RF scanning equipment.
• Picking and wrapping orders for shipment.
• Identifying workplace safety hazards.
• Adhering to safety management standards.
• Adhering to production schedules.

Forklift operators work indoors and outdoors in a variety of industries.

Many forklift operators wear personal protective equipment—including gloves, hardhats, and harnesses—to guard against injury.

Most forklift operators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some work overnight shifts.

The following job titles also refer to forklift operator:

warehouse forklift operator
warehouse forklift driver
warehouse material handler
order picker driver
forklift truck operator
operator of forklift trucks
forklift driver

Although no formal educational credential is typically required, companies may prefer to hire forklit operators who have a high school diploma. A valid fork-lifting certificate and an excellent hand-eye coordination are also necessary for this role.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Forklift operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to forklift operator.

container crane operator
airline food service worker
dangerous goods driver
aircraft dispatcher
parking valet

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of forklift operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of forklift operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

air traffic controller
aviation safety officer
international forwarding operations coordinator
hand luggage inspector
maritime pilot

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of forklift operator.

• Types of packaging used in industrial shipments: Know various types of packaging materials used for industrial shipments, according to the type of goods to be shipped. Comply with regulations on packaging of goods.

These skills are necessary for the role of forklift operator.

• Operate radio equipment: Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio equipment correctly.
• Follow control of substances hazardous to health procedures: Adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result in illness or injury.
• Operate warehouse materials: Be able to operate pallet jack and similar motorised warehouse equipment, for loading and storage purposes.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Apply company policies: Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
• Operate forklift: Operate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.
• Match goods with appropriate packaging according to security procedures: Relate goods to be packed with the required security equipment following appropriate security procedures.
• Monitor goods movement: Ensure that all shipments are accurate and free of damage.
• Apply techniques for stacking goods into containers: Apply techniques required to stack materials into containers. Use techniques to maximise the space in containers.
• Conduct forklift inspections: Conduct regular check-ups of the machine before using it to permit safe working conditions.
• Weigh materials: Weigh materials and products, record weight and other relevant data on tags or labels.
• Handle dangerous goods: Classify, pack, mark, label and document dangerous goods, such as explosive materials, gases and flammable liquids. Adhere to international and national regulations.
• Stay alert: Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.
• Stack empty pallets: Deposit empty pallets in the designed location.
• Follow signalling instructions: Follow signalling instructions throughout the journey. Comprehend the technical language used by signallers and adhere to instructions given by them.
• Estimate distances: Ability to correctly estimate distances in order to operate the machine without accidents.
• Maintain concentration for long periods: Stay concentrated over a long period of time in order to make correct judgements and appropriate decisions.
• Follow work procedures: Adhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Follow given instructions: Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.
• Meet picking standards: Perform picking activities in a way that meets quality standards.
• Follow stock control instructions: Stack items according to the stock control instructions received.
• Carry out stock rotation: Execute repositioning of packaged and perishable products with an earlier sell-by date to the front of a shelf.
• Maintain warehouse database: Keep digital warehouse database up-to-date and multi-accessible.
• Store warehouse goods with precision: Transport goods in the warehouse and place them in the designated locations with precision in order maximise use of space. Operate forklifts or other instruments to facilitate this activity.
• Prepare shipments in time: Prepare product for shipment as scheduled.
• Pick orders for dispatching: Pick orders in warehouses destined for dispatching, ensuring that correct numbers and types of goods are loaded and dispatched. Tag and mark product items as requested.
• Operate package processing equipment: Operate electric package processing equipment and control systems.
• Transfer stock: Remove material from one storage location to another.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
• Work in a logistics team: Ability to work confidently within a logistics team, with each member of the team fulfilling a role designed to increase the efficiency of the whole.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of forklift operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Execute vehicle maintenance: Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, performing non-mechanical maintenance tasks. Service small engines including hydraulic equipment. Check the oil and fluid levels on all equipment. Check vehicles and equipment to insure that they are in smooth and safe working order.
• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Show confidence: Demonstrate degrees of maturity by fully understanding one’s own qualities and abilities which can serve as sources of confidence in different situations.
• Manage a warehouse management system: Use software in order to store materials within a warehouse and perform operations such as shipping, receiving and picking.
• Use telescopic handlers: Operate crane-like machinery to move loads to and from places unreachable by conventional forklifts.
• Monitor vehicle repairs: Schedule and oversee activities of care and repair for vehicles.
• Use barcode scanning equipment: Track the inventory by operating barcode scanning devices.

8344 – Lifting truck operators

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References

1. Forklift operator – ESCO
2. Material Moving Machine Operators : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Forklift Operator Job Description – Betterteam
4. Featured image: Photo by Elevate on Unsplash