Lift Truck Training: Enhance Operator Skills Today

Course Overview

Our on-site Lift Truck / Forklift Operator Training program is designed for operators, supervisors, and safety personnel aiming to enhance workplace safety and ensure compliance with Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and CSA Standard B335-15. This course provides practical, hands-on training using your facility's equipment, tailored to your specific operational environment.

The most engaging Lift Truck / Forklift Operator Training – On-Site in Ontario

Key Learning Outcomes

Lift Truck Classifications

Understand and apply OHSA regulations and CSA B335-15 standards related to lift truck operations.
Identify and mitigate workplace hazards associated with forklift use.
Conduct thorough pre-operational inspections and report deficiencies.
Master safe operating procedures, including load handling and maneuvering in confined spaces.
Execute proper fueling and battery charging techniques, emphasizing safety protocols.
Demonstrate competency through practical evaluations conducted on-site.
Receive certification valid for three years upon successful completion.

Class I – Electric Motor Rider Trucks

Silent but Dangerous

Forklift batteries can release hydrogen gas while charging—odorless, invisible, and explosive in enclosed areas. One spark is all it takes. Proper ventilation isn’t optional—it’s survival.

CCOHS: Hydrogen Hazards in Charging Areas

Class II – Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks

More Reach, Less Margin for Error

Reach trucks are built for tight warehouse lanes—but because they extend forward, not just up, their centre of gravity shifts fast. A misjudged load or quick turn can put the whole machine sideways.

NIOSH: Preventing Injuries When Operating Forklifts

Class III – Electric Motor Hand or Hand/Rider Trucks

Small Truck, Big Injury

Over 25% of serious foot injuries in warehouses involve electric pallet jacks. It’s usually the operator’s own toes—crushed while reversing without a spotter or trying to steer around corners too fast.

OSHA: Powered Industrial Truck E-tools

Class IV – Internal Combustion (Solid/Cushion Tires)

Built for Smooth—Not Smart on Gravel

Cushion-tire forklifts are indoor-only for a reason. Their tires act more like rollers on dust, snow, or gravel—causing skids or sudden stops. Yet misuse outdoors remains one of the top causes of loss-of-control incidents.

WorkSafeBC: Outdoor Forklift Risks

Class V – Internal Combustion (Pneumatic Tires)

#1 in Fatalities

Class V forklifts lead all others in tip-over deaths. The problem? Operators often think “bigger wheels = more stable.” On slopes or with uneven loads, that confidence becomes a false sense of security.

CDC: Forklift Fatality Data

Class VI – Electric and Internal Combustion Tow Tractors

Ever Heard of Drawbar Pull?

Most operators haven’t—but they should. Overloading or poor hitching can cause jackknifing, disconnects, or loss of control. Few programs teach how to calculate safe towing force—we do.

OSHA: Tow Tractor Basics

Class VII – Rough Terrain Forklifts

A Slope + A Load = A Lesson in Physics

Extend the boom too far on a hill, and the whole rig could roll—forward or sideways. Rough terrain forklifts require precise placement, load awareness, and slope judgment. We've seen what happens when they don't.

WorkSafeBC: Rough Terrain Forklift Safety

Class VIII – Stand-Up Rider Forklifts

Why No Seatbelt?

Because if these tip, the safest move is to jump—not stay inside. That's why they're open on one side. Problem is, most operators have never been shown how to dismount in a side impact. We teach that.

OSHA: Operator Compartment Safety

Which Lift Truck(s) Do You Work With?

Reach Truck

Walkie

Counter Balance

Rough Terrain

A heavy-duty forklift equipped with a coil handling attachment transports a steel roll in Ontario, Canada.

High Capacity

Container

Pallet

About Our Instructors

At Safety Sure, our instructors don’t just read from a script—they’ve lived what they teach. Every course is led by professionals who’ve used the tools, worn the gear, and made the calls that keep worksites safe. Whether it's forklifts, fall arrest systems, or confined space entries, our trainers have done the job—not just studied it.

You won’t get “death by PowerPoint” here. Our classroom sessions are interactive, scenario-based, and focused on what matters most: what learners will remember and use when it counts. We use proven coaching methods that emphasize decision-making, risk awareness, and muscle memory—approaches that are used globally in the highest-risk industries because they work.

In fact, research shows that hands-on, problem-solving based instruction leads to a 75% increase in knowledge retention compared to passive learning models.

* That’s why our sessions are built around doing, not just discussing.

We believe safety is learned by experience—not just explained on a screen. And that’s exactly what we deliver.

How We Approach Training at Safety Sure

At Safety Sure, training isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a living system designed to reflect the realities of your worksite. While many providers deliver standard packages, we’ve learned that no two facilities, shifts, or crews are exactly alike. That’s why we prioritize custom-fit training built around your operations, not generic slideshows.

We don’t offer everything. But what we do offer is deeply thought through, integrated across disciplines, and tested in high-risk environments. Whether it’s lift trucks, confined space, spill response, or JHSC effectiveness, we design each program with three questions in mind:

Does this align with the law and best practice?

Does it reflect how the work is actually done?

Does it make things easier or safer for the people doing it?

Some of our programs are always available. Others are offered in partnership with clients, built to meet specific needs, or delivered as part of a broader compliance strategy that includes documentation, scheduling, and even renewal tracking.

We don’t believe in “one and done” training. We believe in building systems that last—systems that teach, protect, and evolve as your workforce does.

Legislated Requirements and Standards

All of our Lift Truck / Forklift Operator Training is designed to meet or exceed the requirements outlined in Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the CSA B335-15 standard for powered industrial trucks. Our training combines classroom theory with on-site practical evaluation, using your facility’s equipment and layout.
Training complies with:

OHSA Section 25(2)(a) – Employer’s duty to provide information, instruction, and supervision to protect worker safety.

O. Reg. 851: Industrial Establishments – Sections 51–52 on equipment competency and safe use of lifting devices.

O. Reg. 213/91: Construction Projects – Sections 93, 96, and 104 on competent operation, safe material handling, and equipment stability requirements for lift trucks used on construction sites.

CSA B335-15 – National standard for training, maintenance, inspection, and operator competency for lift trucks.

We also align with cross-border regulatory expectations, including U.S. OSHA 1910.178, ensuring consistency for multi-jurisdictional employers.

This program helps employers demonstrate due diligence, maintain operator competency, and reduce risk of workplace incidents and regulatory non-compliance.

References

Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
OHSA – Section 25(2)(a) (Instruction and supervision duties)
O. Reg. 851: Industrial Establishments – Sections 51–52
O. Reg. 213/91: Construction Projects – Sections 93, 96, and 104

Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
CSA B335-15: Safety Standard for Lift Trucks

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
Forklift Safety Guidelines and Training Checklists

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
29 CFR 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks

Lift Truck Training