What to Look for When Hiring a Forklift Driver?

When it comes to hiring a forklift driver, it can be a tricky job to undertake. A forklift operator’s job may look simple from the outside but you need someone who is highly skilled. From being productive to have a steady focus on safety to operating a forklift, it’s a whole package of technical and intellectual skills that are needed.

Though there are many labor hire agencies to find you the right fit, we want you to know exactly who you should be looking to hire. For your benefit, we have listed down a few important things your forklift driver should have.

Qualifications of a forklift operator

The foremost thing which you should look into is the qualification of the candidate. At a minimum, they need a high-risk work license.

However, having additional qualifications doesn’t hurt. This could include training in warehouse operations or logistics.

After examining the qualifications of the candidate, you need to further investigate the skills of the candidate. This will shine a light on the person you’re considering hiring.

Skills of a forklift operator

• A good handler of dangerous goods or substances
• Meticulous
• Good time management
• Customer service
• Physical fitness
• Reliable

Their qualifications and skills should help you get an idea of the forklift driver you’re intending to hire. However, you also need to ask some important questions to ensure that your candidate is the right one for the job.

Questions to ask during interview

1. What machines are they licensed to operate?
   As per OSHA requirements, the forklift operator needs a valid license to do the job. This is in case, if the driver has an accident on public roads. He needs to be legally certified, otherwise, there is a good chance that the insurer might reject the claim. Therefore, it’s very important for you to know that the candidate has a license for the type of machine they will be using.
   
   There are two types of licenses in regard to forklifts. The first machine license is for the order-picking machine, known as an LO license. This is for those drivers who are driving an order-picking forklift.
   
   The other one is for a forklift truck, known as an LF license. This is given to those drivers who have undergone training on a forklift truck or machines equipped with an elevating carriage.
   
   As per your business needs, you can choose a potential candidate possessing either of the above licenses. Potentially, your driver may need to have both kinds.
   
2. Does the driver meet the basic requirements?
   You should also check whether the candidate is meeting the basic requirements of the job or not. We have listed down a few basic requirements for most forklift driver roles.
   
   
   • A driver’s age should be 18 or above
   • As English is the primary language in Australia, he should communicate well in this language
   • The driver should have good eyesight and good hearing
   • The driver should be a resident of Australia. If not, they should have documentation detailing their right to work in the country.
   • If their license is from a different state or territory, it needs to be transferred to the country state or territory.
     
     
3. How safely does the candidate work as a forklift driver?
   When you are hiring a forklift driver, you should ensure that the person not only cares about his safety but also the safety of others. For this, you can detect the candidate’s attitude toward safety by asking them about how they operate the forklift.
   
   Ask them about how they start their day using the forklift. Do they check that everything is working before starting the job? Do they wear a seatbelt? Do they check in with other workers on the team to make sure they are not at risk? Questions like these can help you understand their approach to safety.
   
4. Is the driver organised and calm?
   Warehouses are always bustling, therefore, it’s important for a forklift driver to work under pressure. There will be times when a driver is expected to do many things at once. They’ll need to be able to prioritise to get all jobs done as soon as possible without compromising safety.
   
   Along with this, the candidate should also possess organisational skills. There are a lot of tasks for the candidate to handle. These can include unstacking the pallets, delivering the items, and even helping to pick orders. Thus, the candidate should be able to prioritise the tasks to keep everything running smoothly and to not unnecessarily delay anyone else.

Final conclusion

There are many construction recruitment firms to help you find the right person for the job. But who knows the company’s requirements better than you? Keeping the requirements and above information in mind, we are sure you will be able to hire the perfect professional for the position. Choosing the right person for the job can be a boon for your business.