OSHA Forklift Training: What Every Warehouse Operator Needs to Know

December 11, 2025

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 70% of forklift accidents are preventable with standard safety measures.

OSHA-compliant training protects workers, reduces liability and keeps warehouses running efficiently. Here’s what operators and managers need to know – and how MHS Lift helps you stay compliant.

What Does OSHA Require for Certification?

OSHA standard 1910.178 requires three components:

  1. Formal Classroom Training
  2. Practical, Hands-On Training
  3. Performance Evaluation

What Happens If Operators Aren’t Certified?

Skipping OSHA training exposes employers to:

  • Fines and penalties
  • Increased liability after an incident
  • Higher risk of equipment damage and downtime
  • Unsafe operating habits that spread across shifts

Well-trained operators contribute to smoother workflows, less product damage and safer aisles.

How Does OSHA Training Improve Warehouse Efficiency?

Training quickly pays for itself through fewer accidents and improved productivity. Beyond compliance, certified operators:

  • Navigate tight aisles more safely
  • Reduce product and racking damage
  • Understand load handling and stability
  • Perform better pre-shift inspections
  • Lower the chance of sudden breakdowns

How MHS Lift Delivers OSHA-Compliant Forklift Training

MHS Lift provides instructor-led programs that meet or exceed OSHA requirements. Training is offered:

  • On-site at facilities
  • For all major truck types (sit-down, stand-up, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet jacks)
  • With same-day certification after successful evaluation

MHS Lift also offers Train-the-Trainer sessions.

When Should Warehouses Schedule Training?

Warehouses should schedule forklift operator training at several key moments to maintain safety and compliance. These include onboarding new hires or seasonal workers, after any changes to the workplace layout or facility flow, when introducing new types of equipment and during OSHA-required three-year recertification cycles. Training is also essential following any safety incident or audit to correct behaviors and reinforce best practices.

Protect your workforce and stay OSHA-compliant.

Schedule OSHA forklift training today. Call MHS Lift at (877) 647-9320.