How to track forklift certification expiration dates

Forklift "certification" does not expire the way a driver's license does, but it does run out. Under OSHA's powered industrial truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii)), every operator's performance has to be evaluated at least once every three years. Miss that date and the operator is no longer properly certified to drive.

What actually needs a date

For each operator you need to know three things:

• The training date and who did the training and evaluation. OSHA expects the employer to certify this in writing.
• The type of truck they were evaluated on. Training on a sit-down counterbalance truck does not cover a reach truck or order picker.
• The next evaluation due date, which is no later than three years after the last one.

Refresher training is also required sooner when an operator has an accident or near miss, is seen driving unsafely, is assigned a different type of truck, or when workplace conditions change. When that happens, update the record and reset the due date.

Spreadsheet or tracker?

A spreadsheet works when you have a handful of operators and someone remembers to open it. The problem is that a three-year cycle is long enough for everyone to forget. The person who set up the sheet may not even work there anymore when the dates come due.

If you stick with a spreadsheet, add a "days left" column with a formula like =E2-TODAY() and sort by it every month. Put a recurring calendar reminder on someone's calendar to check it.

A tracker removes the "someone has to remember" step. You enter each operator once, attach the signed evaluation, and the reminders come to you.

A simple routine that works

1. List every operator with their truck types and last evaluation date.
2. Set the due date to three years from that evaluation.
3. Get a reminder at 60 days so you have time to schedule a trainer, again at 30, and a last one at 7.
4. Keep a scan of the signed evaluation with the record so you can show it during an inspection.

Need a starting sheet? Download our free forklift operator training record template.