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A New Year, a New Opportunity for Safety
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset, refresh, and recommit to workplace safety — particularly when it comes to forklift operations. Forklifts (also known as powered industrial trucks) play a vital role in material handling, but they are also frequent contributors to workplace injuries when operators are inadequately trained or when certification lapses. Ensuring your team is fully certified and compliant with OSHA standards not only protects your workforce but also reinforces a culture of safety and efficiency going into 2026.
OSHA’s standard for powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178) requires that only trained and certified employees operate forklifts, and that employers maintain formal programs that include classroom instruction, hands-on training, and performance evaluation.
1. Know the OSHA Rules — Certification Is Not Optional
Before planning your forklift training strategy, it’s essential to understand the OSHA certification requirement:
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All forklift operators must be trained and certified by their employer before operating a forklift.
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Training must combine formal instruction, practical, hands-on training, and a performance evaluation to confirm competency.
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Employers must also certify and document the training and evaluation, including operator name, training date, evaluation date, and trainer identity.
Importantly, OSHA does not recognize an annual certification requirement — instead, training must occur:
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Before an employee starts operating a forklift
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Every time an operator demonstrates unsafe operation
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After an accident or near miss
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When an operator is assigned to a different type of forklift
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When workplace changes could affect safe operation
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At least every three years for all operators
This means that even if an operator was trained years ago, you should review their certification and training records at the beginning of the year to ensure nothing has expired or needs refreshing.
2. Audit Your Current Certification Records
Start your year by auditing your forklift training files. Ask:
✔️ Who needs initial certification?
✔️ Who is due (or overdue) for recertification?
✔️ Has anyone changed equipment, job duties, or work areas?
✔️ Do your records include documentation that meets OSHA’s requirements?
A clean recordkeeping system not only ensures compliance but also helps you plan training schedules efficiently. Missing or incomplete records can lead to costly OSHA citations and undermine your safety culture.
3. Plan Your Annual Training Calendar
Once you have an audit, set up a forklift training calendar for the year. Include:
📌 Initial Training Sessions: For any new operators starting in 2026.
📌 Refresher Training: For operators approaching their 3-year recertification.
📌 Skill Evaluation Dates: Log evaluations as part of your safety matrix.
📌 Training for Operators of New Equipment: If your company adds new forklift types or attachments this year.
Creating a yearly plan gives your team clear expectations and prevents last-minute scramble scenarios, where operators might be uncertified, or resources may be unavailable for timely training.
4. Combine Training With Other Safety Initiatives
Forklift certification is most effective when it is part of a comprehensive safety program. Consider aligning it with:
🔹 Daily Pre-Shift Inspections: OSHA highlights pre-operation checks as a key part of safe lift truck operation.
🔹 Hazard Communication Training: Especially if your facility handles hazardous materials.
🔹 Ergonomics and Fatigue Programs: Reducing injury risk beyond just forklift operation.
🔹 Winter or Seasonal Safety Adjustments: If your workplace conditions change with the seasons.
Training that ties together broader safety concepts with forklift certification makes compliance more practical and empowers operators to make safer decisions every day.
5. Choose Training That Meets Your Company's Needs
Not all training is created equal. OSHA allows employers to develop their own program, but to be valid it must:
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Address truck-related topics (controls, stability, inspections)
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Include workplace-related topics (surface conditions, load compositions, ramps)
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Use a combination of classroom and practical training
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Evaluate the operator’s performance in your specific workspace
While online content can be useful for theory, OSHA still requires hands-on performance evaluations before an operator can be certified. Your training should reflect the layout, traffic patterns, and hazards unique to your facility.
6. Invest in On-Site Training for Maximum Relevance
On-site training — where trainees learn on the exact equipment they use in their actual workspace — helps bridge the gap between theory and daily operations. Operators learn:
✔️ how your aisles, docks, ramps, and floor conditions affect safety
✔️ how your specific equipment handles loads
✔️ how pedestrians and traffic flows interact in your warehouse
This real-world context not only improves safety but also reinforces operator confidence and performance.
7. Track and Document Everything
OSHA expects employers to maintain accurate and complete records. Your training file should include:
📁 Trainee name and ID
📁 Training dates (initial and refresher)
📁 Evaluation records
📁 Trainer name and credentials
📁 Equipment types covered
Clear documentation also helps with internal audits, insurer reviews, and OSHA inspections.
8. Start the Year With a Safety Culture Mindset
Forklift certification isn’t a one-off HR requirement — it’s a signal that safety matters in your organization. Use the new year to set the tone:
🟡 Hold a kickoff safety meeting
🟡 Refresh your forklift policies with leadership
🟡 Reinforce continuous learning and hazard reporting
🟡 Make training a shared priority, not a checkbox
Operators who see that safety is taken seriously are more likely to perform safely and hold others accountable.
9. Partner With Charleston Forklift Training
At Charleston Forklift Training, we help companies start the year with confidence by offering:
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OSHA-compliant initial and refresher training
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On-site certification tailored to your equipment and layout
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Documentation and certification tracking support
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Flexible scheduling to minimize operational disruption
We make it easy to get certified, stay compliant, and build a safer workplace going into 2026.
Conclusion: Your New Year Safety Reset
As the calendar turns, there is no better time to ensure your forklift certification program is solid, compliant, and ready for the year ahead. A little planning now saves headaches later — and more importantly, protects your people, equipment, and productivity.
📅 Ready to get your team certified this year?
Contact Charleston Forklift Training today to schedule OSHA-compliant forklift certification and refresher training for your team.
