How Old Must You Be to Operate a Forklift? Powered Industrial Truck Driver Requirements

According to 29 CFR § 570.58 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), all forklift operators must be at least 18 years old. They must also receive proper training and certification so that they can safely operate the machine per OSHA 1910.178(l). These requirements are to prevent young employees from working in hazardous conditions. 

It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that powered industrial truck operators are of age and understand safe operating procedures. Forklift training must include formal instruction, hands-on training, and evaluation. Our forklift certification training kit or online training course provide the resources you need to facilitate in-house training and ensure workplace safety.

This post discusses the requirements for operating a forklift, as well as how to properly train employees to use these machines. 

Forklift Age Requirements and the Fair Labor Standards Act

According to federal law, minors under 18 cannot operate a forklift. The Fair Labor Standards Act was created to protect workers, and one element of that is restricting children from working in hazardous work environments. FLSA Order 7 specifically restricts minors from occupations involving the operation of power-driven hoisting apparatus. It’s important to note that this involves not only operating forklifts and other types of heavy equipment, but also riding or servicing them. 

Heavy Equipment Off Limits to Minors

Forklifts are not the only machines that are prohibited from being operated by minors. In fact, minors aren’t allowed to operate most pieces of heavy machinery found in warehouses or job sites. These include:

• Cranes: Any machine that lifts or lowers a load horizontally with a hoisting mechanism
• Derricks: Any power-driven apparatus consisting of a mast, either with or without a boom, that is operated with a hoisting mechanism or operating ropes
• Elevators: Any power-driven mechanism with a car or platform that moves up and down in a vertical direction
• High-lift trucks: Any power-driven industrial type of truck used for transportation that has a power-operated lifting device like a fork, shovel, scoop, crane, or some other attachment for handling specific loads
• Hoists: Any power-driven apparatus that raises or lowers a load by a pulling force that does not include a car or platform running in guides 
• Manlifts: Any device intended for moving people that consists of platforms or brackets attached to a cable or chain that operates vertically and is supported by pulleys, sheaves, or sprockets

Why Are There Forklift Operator Age Requirements?

Minors are not allowed to operate forklifts due to the risks and injuries involved. In 2023 alone, there were 67 forklift work-related deaths and 24,960 incidents that caused days away from work. OSHA has also documented fatalities of minors operating forklifts without proper training. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that over 100,000 children suffer from work-related injuries every year, and about a third of them are serious enough to put the child in the emergency room. While age and training requirements might be tedious and time-consuming, they can prevent avoidable injuries and keep workers safe on the job.

Additional Forklift Operator Certification Requirements

OSHA standard 1910.178 details the mandated requirements for forklift drivers. In addition to being 18 or older, forklift operators must:

• Receive formal and hands-on instruction
• Pass a performance evaluation
• Recertify every three years
• Receive refresher training if they operate the machine unsafely or operate a new type of forklift

How to Train Forklift Operators

Forklift operator training must be completed by someone who has knowledge, training, and prior experience. Trainers must be able to adequately evaluate the competence of the trainee. Three training components are required to certify a forklift operator, which include: 

1. Formal instruction: This is the classroom component of training. Employees must be taught safe operating procedures and best practices through mediums like videos, presentations, written material, or online coursework.
2. Practical training: The trainer should show employees how to operate the forklift and allow them to practice under supervision.
3. Evaluation: To receive forklift certification, trainees must undergo a performance evaluation to ensure that they can competently operate the machine.

Employers must document an employee’s forklift certification, proving that they have been trained and evaluated. The certification must include the name of the operator, the date of the training and the evaluation, and the identity of the person completing the training.

Wallet cards are a good way to allow employers to quickly check which employees are certified, and the Safety Videos training kit provides printable wallet cards and certificates of completion for easy documentation..

Why Use Our Forklift Operator Training?

If you’re an employer in the construction industry looking to certify your employees for forklift operation, check out our forklift safety training videos. Here are some added benefits of using our forklift operator training kits: 

• Comprehensive resources for in-house training: This training has every resource you might need. We include a presenter’s guide, video, presentation, quiz, evaluation checklist, and more to help in-house personnel facilitate training. 
• One-time fee of $239: Our training kit can be used over and over, saving you money. Once you buy this package, you won’t need to renew it for each employee you certify.
• Fast delivery: Any training kit purchased before 7:00 pm EST will be shipped out the same day. If you’re in a time crunch, this is the perfect option for you. 
• Online training option: Our online forklift training option allows you to assign training courses and track employee progress through our learning management system. This will help you document which employees are certified and which ones are not. 

While training can be time-consuming and tedious, the safety of your employees and the reputation of your business is incredibly important. By investing in our forklift operator safety training, you can ensure that your employees will be properly trained and certified in compliance with OSHA regulations and federal law.