How to get a forklift license in Canada?

Canadian Forklift Regulations

Forklifts (or Powered Industrial Trucks / Lift Trucks) are used in a wide range of industries. Their primary goal is to move materials by transporting, raising, lowering, or removing objects of various sizes in boxes, crates, pallets, or other containers.

The Ministry of Labor (MOL) inspects businesses on a regular basis to ensure compliance with current forklift certification standards. The goal is to raise advocacy and awareness in order to prevent industrial accidents, damage, injuries, and fatalities. According to the current legislation, MOL will concentrate on lifting devices, specifically on their regular inspection and maintenance. They will also prioritize the evaluation of forklift operators and supervisors to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge to operate the truck and supervise the operation.

Training records will be inspected upon inspection to check if the employer incorporates the lift truck training into the health and safety program of the company. The implications for these are not for the disadvantage if many of you might think. Workers can be assured of a regular provision of training ensuring the ability and skill to drive the machine.

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) oversees the implementation of the safety standard. The latest regulation Safety Standard B335-15 details the elements and specifics of the lift truck operator training program, trainer’s requirements and truck maintenance procedure for the company to obey. This regulation has been released to update the existing one.

How to get a forklift license?

Forklift trucks should be operated only by experienced workers who are trained, certified or licensed to perform this task. Some jurisdictions specify that only a “competent” or “authorized” person may operate powered lift trucks and others may specify a minimum operator age (e.g., 18 years or older). Check with your local occupational health and safety authorities for more information.

Employers who use forklifts in their establishments are responsible for the implementation of forklift training programs for all workers. That being said, it is the employee’s responsibility to complete the program and apply the safety measures they have learned in order to maintain their safety and that of their colleagues in the workplace. Potential new employees who know that they are likely to be required to operate forklifts at work can independently acquire and complete this safety course to improve their CVs.

Certification of forklift operators is usually a process consisting of both theoretical and Hands-on Practice & Evaluation. Once the theoretical course is completed, under the assistance of a workplace supervisor, the trainee will need to go through:

Hands-on Practice – This involves the trainee using his/her physical ability to use the designated forklift.

Practical Evaluation – This involves demonstrating proficiency in the daily forklift operations.

The evaluation shall be conducted on the specific work tasks and using the type of forklift to which trainees are assigned and should include the basic following tasks:

• pre-operational inspection;
• start-up;
• travelling, with and without a load (including pedestrian safety);
• load handling;
• driving on ramps and grades;
• using elevators;
• shutdown; and
• refuelling/recharging.

Once the employee has successfully completed all steps they are considered to be a certified operator. Depending on their work activities and the hazards presented, it is recommended that Forklift operators undergo WHMIS and TDG training.