Electric pallet jacks are versatile machines that are used in warehouses, cold storage facilities, docks, ports, etc. As a matter of fact, you won’t find a workplace without this being used - that’s how popular this equipment is.
Now, the big question that surrounds everybody’s mind does OSHA require training on the electric pallet jack. The answer is simple as the question.
OSHA considers electric pallet jacks as powered industrial trucks, they fall on the class 3 classification. Therefore, the operators have to be trained and certified in its safe use. Certain events may also prompt to take training such as operator involvement in near miss or accident, poor evaluation, it has been 3 years since last training; so you should not be surprised to find the need to retake this at a later date.
If your workers are not yet certified, we made this short article to simplify the process. OSHA is strict. You need to maintain compliance otherwise if a serious accident happens and found out about your fault, you could face hefty fines and penalties.
The same goes for an individual who is looking forward to getting certified as it is one of the steps to land a job as companies prefer those candidates with such credentials.
So whoever you are, it does make good sense to take the electric pallet jack training.
If you still don’t know where to begin, we’ll help you… Please read on…
How to Take the Training Course
- Find a training school in your location. Searching for a school that offers electric pallet jack training doesn’t have to be complicated, we’ve made a directory, see below. You just have to choose the one that nearest to you, contact them, and make an inquiry.
- Take the class or lectures. This can be done in-person or online. Nowadays, the online method is becoming popular, it is up to you how you would like to take it. If you have a busy schedule, online training is suitable.
- Complete the performance evaluation. This has to be done by a trainer, supervisor or manager who has the capacity to evaluate operators. This is where you will be asked to accomplish certain tasks with the electric pallet jack; if you’ve completed the tasks, you willll get certified and will receive your operator card or certification at the end of the course.
When taking the training course, these things have to be taken note of:
- If you’re an employer, you can conduct the training on-site, which is the preferred way of delivering the course to the operators; doing so enables you to customize the curriculum to address certain issues such as the behavior of the operators and site and equipment-specific issues.
If the operator is taking the class online, please be reminded that a written exam has to be administered and passing it is just half of the story; the operator still has to be evaluated regarding his actual performance by their supervisor/trainer. - How the evaluation is done? The trainer must have a hard copy of the practical evaluation checklist and do the evaluation using the equipment on-site. When successful, he has to sign the checklist together with the exam result, these documents must be kept as training records to fulfill the present OSHA requirement regarding operator certification.
- The training can be done on-site by in-house personnel using the company’s own safety program; find a training school and send the operators to the class; hire a safety trainer and do the training on-site; use a third-party’s training materials (CD, online class, etc) to training operators.
Please take note that as per 1910.178(l)(2)(iii), the training and evaluation must be conducted by someone who has the knowledge and training to evaluate operators.
WATCH This Video How the Training Is Conducted
Here are the Schools that Offers Electric Pallet Jack Training
If you’re looking for a training school where you can take the course, here are your choices:
- ForkliftTraining.com
1440 W. Taylor Street, Suite #386, Chicago, IL 60607
(800) 492-0421, offers online training
To find out the courses available, see website: https://forklifttraining.com/online-forklift-certification-training/ref/forkliftguide/ - Hard Hat Training
3475 West, ID-33, Rexburg, ID 83440
360-930-9247, 360-930-9247 - Douglas Equipment
7128 NW 72nd Ave Miami, Florida 33166
Call: 305-407-1385 - CertifyMe.Net
Has online class
1-888-699-4800 - Zack Academy
2787 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Suite 303, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Contact: 954-400-0595 - Tynan Equipment Company
701 Navco Drive Lafayette, IN 47905, (765) 613-0991
5926 Stockberger Place Indianapolis, IN 46241, (317) 597-4003
482 Cherry St. Columbus, IN 47201, (812) 817-0644
1357 Aberdeen Avenue Terre Haute, IN 47804, (812) 408-9060 - Lonestar Forklift
16721 Central Commerce Dr, Round Rock, TX 78664, Phone: (512) 990-2494, Fax: (512) 990-5874
213 Forest Ln, Garland, TX 75042, Phone: (972) 494-5438, Fax: (972) 276-8146
7231 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX 76118, Phone: (817) 378-9797, Fax: (817) 378-9702
5240 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77022, Phone: (713) 694-3675, Fax: (713) 694-3677
Courses are given both in English and Spanish
Some Ideas to Boost Your Chance of Passing the Written and Practical Tests
During the written exam, know these:
- Pay attention to the lectures in the class. Since the training is specific to the type of machine you will be operating, make sure that you know the technical details such as capacity, lift height, dimensions and other information of the pallet jack. Those details will appear in the written test.
- Learn the safety aspects of the use of pallet jack. A considerable portion of the written exam might be comprised of safety. Those subjects will be taught during the class.
- Watch the video presentation and read the hand-outs that will be presented during the class. Topics from those may come out as “yes or no” questions in the written exam.
- Read each question thoroughly before answering as some of the questions are tricky. You want to look out for technical terms, and some words that might be there to confuse.
- Familiarize yourself also with workplace-specific topics as there are some that might come out in the questionnaire.
- Go online to take a mock test. There are resources online that are dedicated to forklift training. There are mock tests that you could take to familiarize yourself with how the test will be administered.
Many students failed the first time. If you failed the written test, don’t worry you can still retake it.
During the practical test, follow these:
- Follow the instruction of the trainer – every task you will have to do will be given by the instructor. Make sure you are following his direction correctly.
- Know the specifics of the pallet jack you are operating – so that when you are asked to lift a certain load, you know how much weight it can carry. If you determine the weight of the load surpasses the capacity, tell that to the trainer, he is more than happy to give a good mark for that.
- Always pay attention as there are some tasks that are tricky. Trainers are known to give some excitement, they may instruct you to do something that might make you think and scratch your hand… how the heck you’re going to do it.
- Practice operating the pallet jack if you have the opportunity. Practice makes perfect as they say. If you want to have the whole confidence, give time to practice the operation of the electric pallet jack in the actual work environment.
How Often Do You Need to Take This Training
Aside from the initial training, there are circumstances that may prompt you to retake the training. Here are the situations:
- OSHA requires operator re-evaluation every 3 years. So, if it has been (3) years since you’ve completed the last training, you will have to undergo a refresher course or recertification.
- If the operator has been involved in an incident such as a near miss, property damage or accident, he has to go to retraining for him to realize and correct the mistake he has done.
- If the pallet jack operator has been seen using the electric pallet jack in a dangerous manner that could result in an accident.
- The operator has to go to retraining if he received poor performance evaluation during a certification course. This is a common scenario and a tricky one for the trainer.
- If the workplace setting has changed, for example, if the operator has been assigned to a different location (warehouse, dock, port, etc.) then he has to go to training. Workplace-specific training should be tackled as well so that he will become familiar with the new environment.
- If the operator has been told to drive a different type he’s not familiar with. If he knows how to use the manual pallet jack and doesn’t know how to use the electric one, then, this will prompt also him to take the retraining.
Do You Need a License to Operate an Electric Pallet Jack
There are some confusions since the beginning when training providers and companies started to issue wallet cards for their operators. The wallet cards are what people referred to as the license. As time goes by, those terms are used interchangeably.
You can obtain a license by taking a certification course as it is given after successful completion. So, yes you need a license, also called an operator card, in order to operate an electric pallet jack.
The license/card should show important details such as the name of the operator, date of training, name and signature of the trainer, type of equipment the operator is trained in, date of expiration, training provider and control number.
In the old days, laminating plastics are used to secure the cards but they were easily damaged. Now with the availability and use of PVC plastic card printers, the cards don’t get easily spoiled to protect important information.
Aside from the operator card, a certificate has to be issued after successful completion of the course.
Advantages You Can Reap From the Training
- The most obvious advantage of getting the operators trained is that there will be fewer accidents and rarer property damage in the workplace. How’s that to cut insurance premiums? At the end of the day, it is the company that will benefit from the training.
- It is the compliance with the present OSHA 1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks standards. Adhering to this law decreases the risk of fines, penalties, and work stoppages. In the long run, it the employer that will benefit from getting their workers trained.
- You save on pallet jack maintenance costs from abuse and damage. The pallet jacks are taken care of this is because operators are taught how to operate the machines properly and in a routine inspection.
How Much does Pallet Jack Training Cost
We surveyed reputable training providers and we found out the the cost of pallet jack training can range from $50 to $75 per person. The cost will vary depending on the number of people being trained and the length of the training session. The average cost of a two-hour training session for one person is $60.
The cost of pallet jack training may seem like a lot, but it is important to remember that it is an investment in the safety of your employees. Properly trained employees are less likely to have accidents, and those accidents that do occur will be less severe. In addition, well-trained employees will be able to work more efficiently, which can save your company money in the long run.
If you are interested in pallet jack training for your employees, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to find a reputable training provider. There are many companies that offer pallet jack training, so be sure to do your research to find one that is reputable and has a good track record.
Second, you will need to decide how many people need to be trained and how long the training sessions should be. It is important to make sure that all of your employees who will be using pallet jacks are properly trained. Depending on the size of your company, you may need to have multiple training sessions to ensure that everyone is properly trained.
Finally, you will need to budget for the cost of the training. While the cost may seem like a lot up front, it is important to remember that it is an investment in the safety of your employees. When you compare the cost of the training to the cost of an accident, it is clear that the training is well worth the investment.
The Onsite Training is Ideal to be Given
Pallet jacks are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in warehouses and distribution centers. They are also one of the most dangerous. Improper use of a pallet jack can result in serious injuries. That’s why it’s so important for employees who use them to be properly trained.
Most companies require their employees to be certified in order to operate a pallet jack. The certification process usually includes a written test and a practical test. And the onsite training is best option.
If you're an employer who want to provide training to employees, we would like to give an advice - the pallet jack training is best taken in actual workplace. It has several advantages to address workplace-specific issues. The trainer can alter the course content to match up with the current workplace settings and behavior of the workers.
The best way to ensure that your employees are properly trained is to invest in a quality training program. This will ensure that they are familiar with the proper procedures and that they know how to safely operate the equipment.
Pallet Jack Capacity
A pallet jack is a tool used to lift and move heavy pallets. They are an essential piece of equipment in any warehouse or distribution center. The capacity of a pallet jack is determined by the size of the pallet it is designed to lift. The most common sizes are 2,000 lbs, 3,000 lbs, and 5,000 lbs.
The cost of pallet jack training will vary depending on the size of the jack and the length of the training course. For a 2,000 lbs jack, the cost will be around $100. For a 3,000 lbs jack, the cost will be around $200. For a 5,000 lbs jack, the cost will be around $300. The length of the training course will also vary depending on the size of the jack. A 2,000 lbs jack will require a 1-day training course. A 3,000 lbs jack will require a 2-day training course. A 5,000 lbs jack will require a 3-day training course.
Pallet Jack Types
There are several types of pallet jacks, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The most common type is the hand pallet jack, which is operated by two handles that control the forks. This type of jack is the most affordable and can be used in a variety of settings, but is not well-suited for heavy loads or long distances.
The second type of pallet jack is the electric pallet jack, which is powered by a battery. This type of jack is more expensive than the hand pallet jack, but is much easier to operate and can handle heavier loads. Electric pallet jacks are typically used in warehouses and other industrial settings.
The third type of pallet jack is the hydraulic pallet jack, which is powered by hydraulic fluid. This type of jack is the most expensive but can handle the heaviest loads and is the easiest to operate. Hydraulic pallet jacks are typically used in factories and other heavy-duty settings.
There are many different types of pallet jacks, each with its own set of features and benefits. The most common type of pallet jack is the manual pallet jack. Manual pallet jacks are operated by a handle that is turned to lift and lower the pallet. They are typically used for smaller loads and shorter distances.
Electric pallet jacks are another type of pallet jack. Electric pallet jacks are powered by a battery, and they have a control panel that is used to operate the jack. Electric pallet jacks are typically used for larger loads and longer distances.
There are also specialty pallet jacks, such as the stacker pallet jack. Stackers are designed to lift and move heavy loads that are taller than standard pallets. They are often used in warehouses and factories to move goods around.
Pallet jacks can be very helpful in moving heavy objects, but they can also be dangerous if they are not used properly. It is important to get training before using a pallet jack. Many companies offer pallet jack training, and the cost can vary depending on the company and the type of training. Some companies offer online training, while others offer in-person training.
Making a Conclusion
OSHA does require everyone to be trained and certified in the use of electric pallet jack. At the end of the day, it is the employers and workers that will read fruit from it.
The training makes us safe and efficient, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Take time and spend some effort in completing the course.
We wish you good luck and be safe always!
