To Be a Certified PIT Operator You Must Do These 3 Things

As per OSHA, only trained personnel are allowed to operate powered industrial trucks. Anyone who has no prior training is not permitted otherwise, he’s putting himself and others at harm. There’s a good reason for this requirement - every year hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths are reported involving powered industrial trucks.

Being certified helps ensure that operators are properly trained and aware of the risk involved with the operation of powered industrial trucks.

Now wondering how to be a certified PIT operator? There are steps you must do in order to earn this qualification. Here are the steps that must be taken:

1. Take the formal training or the classroom lectures - as per 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) regulation, the training must consist of formal training in the form of classroom discussion, interactive computer learning, video presentation and handouts. This is important so that students can learn the theories involved in the safe operation of the truck and to be updated about the present OSHA rules and other applicable laws.
   
   
2. Complete the practical training, it is the second part of the training program - the operator will get his chance to do the hands-on training, the instructor will do the driving demonstration and the students will perform the exercises. This behind-the-wheel training is an important aspect as most of the practical skills are learned in this part of the course.
   
   
3. The last part of the course is operator performance evaluation - the instructor will grade the students accordingly depending on how they perform driving the truck. If the instructor is satisfied with the performance of the operator, he will be assured of getting a passing grade.
   
   

If everything goes well, successful students will then receive their certificates and/operator cards. This is what most people referred to as the PIT operator license. In the eyes of the employer, it is an important credential before a job candidate can be offered a job in the company.

All Powered Industrial Truck PIT Operators Must Be Evaluated Every 3 Years

This is the duration that OSHA requires for an evaluation of PIT operator’s performance.

The company has the option, at its discretion, to conduct performance evaluations at a regular interval. The more frequent the better.

I just would like to add also that there’s no yearly refresher training. However, a refresher is necessary when the operator is involved in an accident/incident, has been observed operating the truck in an unsafe manner, has been assigned to operate other types of trucks he’s not familiar with when there’s a significant change in the work environment that can affect the operation, or if the operator has received a poor evaluation.

Evaluation and refresher training can be done on-site.

This is the most suitable way to assess operators, simply because the training curriculum can be modified to address issues such as the behavior of the operators and past incidents/accidents.

Refresher training is a great tool to keep operators' knowledge up-to-date and skills up to industry standard.

Once You are Certified on One Type of Forklift You Can Operate Any Powered Industrial Truck?

This is not true. Just because an operator knows how to operate a certain type of truck doesn’t necessarily mean he can operate other types.

The training must be specific to the “type” NOT “brand” or “model” (e.g., sit-down forklift vs. order picker vs. pallet jack). It is therefore necessary that the operator must be trained and certified for each type of truck he will be using.

Please do remember that training is not required if the operator will be using the same type of truck he has certification for but different only in brand or manufacturer.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Certified?

Well, primarily the dollar figure will depend on the training provider and in what type of truck you want to have certification for, but the cost typically falls between $100-$400 per student.

Employers have the option to arrange the training on-site for a group of operators. Doing so will enable them not only to save money but also address issues at the workplace because the curriculum can be modified to match with the current situation of the site.

Nowadays, online training is becoming popular not only because of the convenience it brings. If you are looking for an online training provider, here's where you can enroll in.

I would like to warn you though, that online training only satisfies the classroom part of the course, you still have to go through the practical training and performance assessment.

Various Ways to Supply Training to Operators to Become Certified

• Training can be done on-site - this way is what most employers do in order to provide training to their workers as it has a number of benefits - it saves time and money, and no manpower downtime as workers don’t have to be off from the work to take the training, workplace issues can be corrected by aligning the curriculum to address concerns. If you’re an employer who wants to supply onsite training, you will need this training kit.
  
  
• Workers can be sent off to school - if the number of operators is relatively small, employers can send them to a school to take the training there. On this website, we made a directory of schools in every state, click your state in the menu beside or below this webpage, there you find the directory.
  
  
• Combination of online learning and actual training - with the present situation, it is no wonder that forklift training can now be done online, it is fast and convenient. If you’re looking for an online provider, here’s what we recommend. The online training satisfies the formal training OSHA requirement, PIT operator still has to take the practical training with the equipment and be evaluated by a trainer to be fully certified.

Take Refresher Training Every Now and Then to keep Knowledge Current

Regular refresher training is vital in many domains to ensure that knowledge and skills remain current, accurate, and effective. Here are some reasons why periodic refresher training is essential:

• Change in Industry Standards and Best Practices:  Industries and fields of study are continuously evolving. New research, technologies, and methodologies can change best practices.
  
  
• Skill Decay:  If certain skills are not used regularly, they can deteriorate over time. Refresher training ensures that these skills are maintained or even improved.
  
  
• Safety Concerns: In professions where safety is paramount, such as healthcare, aviation, or construction, regular refresher training can help avoid accidents and ensure the well-being of all involved.
  
  
• Regulatory and Compliance Changes:  Many industries have regulations that change over time. Regular training ensures that professionals remain compliant with current rules and regulations.
  
  
• Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological advancement means that there are always new tools and software that professionals need to be familiar with.
  
  
• Addressing Skill Gaps: As individuals progress in their careers, they may develop gaps in knowledge or skills. Regular training can identify and address these gaps.
  
  
• Boosting Confidence: Being reassured that you're up-to-date with your skills and knowledge can boost confidence and make you more effective in your role.
  
  
• Adapting to External Changes:  Factors like economic shifts, societal changes, or global events can impact how businesses operate. Training can help employees adapt to these changes.
  
  
• Promoting Consistency:  If everyone in an organization receives regular refresher training, it ensures that all employees have a consistent level of knowledge and skills.
  
  
• Enhancing Employee Engagement and Satisfaction:  Employees often appreciate when their employers invest in their learning and development. It can lead to increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.

To ensure the efficacy of refresher training:

• Regular Assessment: Regularly assess employees' skills and knowledge to identify areas where refresher training might be needed.
  
  
• Feedback Loop: Allow employees to give feedback on the training so that it can be adjusted for better results in the future.
  
  
• Utilize Various Training Methods: Some people might benefit from hands-on training, while others might prefer online modules. A combination can also be effective.
  
  
• Stay Updated with Industry Changes: Always be on the lookout for new research, technological advancements, and changes in best practices or regulations in your industry.

Ultimately, refresher training is an investment in maintaining and improving the quality of work, ensuring safety, and promoting growth and development within an organization.