Requirement for Hands-On Training & Practical Evaluation

At SafeLiftt Forklift Certification, operator safety and OSHA compliance are our top priorities. To maintain the highest standards of training integrity, SafeLift follows all OSHA regulations regarding powered industrial truck operator training and evaluation.

It is the policy of SafeLiftt that no individual will be certified to operate a forklift without completing both a written knowledge test and a hands-on driving evaluation on actual equipment. Passing a quiz alone does not qualify an operator for certification.

Written tests evaluate a trainee’s understanding of rules and safety principles—but they do not verify a person’s ability to safely operate a forklift in real-world conditions. OSHA requires that all forklift operators be trained and then evaluated by a competent person to confirm they can demonstrate the skills necessary to operate safely.

Hands-on training ensures that operators can competently perform essential tasks such as:

• Maneuvering the forklift in real work environments
  
  
• Lifting, carrying, stacking, and unstacking loads
  
  
• Understanding load center and stability principles
  
  
• Conducting pre-operation inspections
  
  
• Demonstrating proper use of controls and attachments
  
  
• Identifying workplace hazards
  
  

Issuing a forklift certification without a full equipment-based evaluation is unsafe, non-compliant, and puts the employer at significant liability.

“The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).”

“Training shall consist of formal instruction, practical training, and evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace.”

“Practical training… shall involve demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee.”

“The evaluation of each operator’s performance shall be conducted by a person who has the knowledge, training, and experience to evaluate the operator.”

SafeLiftt will never issue a certification card based solely on a written quiz. Every operator must complete:

1. Formal Instruction (classroom or online)
   
   
2. Hands-On Practical Training
   
   
3. Competence Evaluation on the Actual Equipment
   
   

Only after passing all three components will an operator be certified as compliant with OSHA standards.

This policy protects employers, employees, and the general public—ensuring that every person holding a SafeLift certification can safely and confidently operate a forklift.