Forklift Trainer

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Full Time Professional Conover, NC, US

2 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $20.00 To $25.00 Hourly

Job Title:

Forklift & PIT Safety Trainer Department:

EHS

Reports to:

EHS Manager

Customary Days:

Varies based on training needs; flexibility across shifts required

Customary

Hours:

Full-time; hours may vary based on training schedule

The Forklift & Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Safety Trainer is responsible for developing competent, safety-focused forklift operators through formal instruction, hands‑on training, workplace evaluation, and ongoing coaching. This role owns operator training, evaluation, and certification for powered industrial trucks used at the facility and supports consistent training standards across company sites.

This is a hands‑on, floor‑level role requiring regular presence in production, warehouse, loading, and storage areas. The Trainer must understand the Forklift Operator role and train employees to perform its material movement, inventory, shipping, equipment inspection, and safety responsibilities accurately and efficiently.

• Deliver initial powered industrial truck operator training in accordance with 29 CFR (l), including formal instruction, practical hands‑on training, and evaluation of operator performance in the workplace
• Train and evaluate employees on the specific powered industrial truck types they will be authorized to operate, including sit‑down counterbalance and stand‑up rider trucks and other equipment used at the applicable site
• Train Forklift Operator candidates on safe and efficient material handling duties, including loading and unloading trailers, transporting materials to designated storage or production areas, and staging finished products for shipment and distribution
• Train operators on proper load handling, stacking, storage, labeling, wrapping, packing, and securing practices to prevent product damage, loss, unstable loads, and unsafe storage conditions
• Train operators to use company tracking systems and required documentation to accurately record and verify material movements, product counts, locations, and shipment information
• Train operators to support production flow by delivering materials timely, coordinating with production and shipping teams, and communicating delays, discrepancies, damaged goods, inventory issues, or safety concerns promptly
• Train and verify proper completion of pre‑shift equipment inspections, including identification and immediate reporting of equipment defects or unsafe conditions
• Provide instruction on truck controls, capacity, stability, load handling, attachments, fueling/charging, parking, pedestrian interaction, ramps, aisles, racking, docks, trailers, and other site‑specific operating hazards
• Evaluate each operator through direct observation in the actual work environment and authorize certification only after the operator demonstrates safe, competent performance
• Conduct operator performance evaluations at least once every three years and maintain documentation of required evaluations
• Provide refresher and corrective training when an operator is observed operating unsafely, is involved in an accident or near‑miss, receives an evaluation indicating unsafe performance, is assigned a different type of truck, or workplace conditions change in a way that affects safe operation
• Perform routine floor observations of forklift operation, including speed, horn use, pedestrian awareness, load handling, equipment condition, aisle and storage practices, and compliance with company safety procedures; provide immediate coaching and elevate repeated concerns as appropriate
• Partner with Supervisors and EHS on powered industrial truck incident and near‑miss investigations and incorporate relevant findings into training and coaching
• Work with EHS to develop, standardize, and maintain training curriculum, checklists, evaluation forms, scoring criteria, and operating expectations across applicable sites
• Support the development and qualification of in‑house…