A lift operator normally operates a forklift or other automated material-handling equipment in a warehouse environment. These could be gas or battery-powered machines. He often uses these pieces of equipment to load and unload trucks as well as to move materials from one location to another.
Forklift operators often need to be certified to use a specific model or type of forklift. This is usually achieved by attending a training course followed by a supervised test or driving examination. Certification can be given by an employer, but may sometimes be conducted by a vendor who sells and services these machines.
Ensuring their equipment is in safe operating condition is normally a primary duty of a lift operator. This can entail performing an inspection on a forklift prior to using it to move pallets of product. A written record of this check is typically kept on file in the event of an inspection from a safety agency. A defect that might pose an operating problem is normally addressed with maintenance personnel when discovered, as forklift drivers do not typically repair these vehicles.
A lift operator usually removes products from the beds of tractor-trailers with a forklift. This normally requires him to drive onto the back of the truck with this equipment. He can then place the forks of the lift truck into the slots on the pallet and raise them in order to remove the items. An operator might also then drive into the back of a trailer and set a pallet down, in order to load items for shipment.
Forklifts may also be used to move materials from one location to another within a facility. This could be to supply manufacturing operations with the goods they need to produce an end product. It might also be done to rearrange, organize, or inventory the items in a storage area or warehouse. A lift operator can often be required to use a forklift to place merchandise at levels more than six feet (1.83 m) high in order to save storage space on the floor.
The job duties of a lift operator may require him to sit or stand for extended periods of time. A forklift driver might also perform his duties in a very fast-paced setting. Candidates for these positions normally have good manual dexterity or flexibility in the use of their hands. They also usually have good hand-eye coordination and quick reaction times. People with these abilities are often sought after to fill jobs as lift equipment operators.
