What Are The Consequences Of Not Having My Forklift Certification in Helena Montana?

August 23, 2013

If you live in Helena, Montana and you already know how to drive a forklift, it may seem like a hassle to get your required certification. You may think that you can sneak by unnoticed – maybe you already have. But it’s important for you to understand that the consequences of getting caught are severe.

You could get into an accident.

Even if you have been through the course before, refreshing your memory on how to safely drive the vehicle can be good for your health. It is easy to become complacent and overconfident, which is usually when accidents start happening.

According to the BLS revised 2011 workplace fatality data, “The final count of fatal work injuries in the U.S. in 2010 was 4,690.” That equates to about 13 deaths every day, with Montana being no exception to this average. Approximately 738 of those deaths can be attributed to equipment. Those numbers don’t include injuries, both minor and debilitating. OSHA approved forklift certification training has been shown to greatly reduce the number of accidents due to mistakes. A refresher course could save your life.

Your Employer Could Get Fined.

Fines can be quite extensive if your employer is ever found using employees who are not certified. Depending on the size of the company, the severity of the offense, and if this is a repeat offense, fines start from around $1,500 to $7,000 per violation. Your employer may be able to get the fines reduced depending on their history and how well they are able to correct the situation, but it’s best to take measures to avoid these fines altogether.

You could lose your job.

Some employers may choose to help correct the situation by firing any employees who do not have their current credentials. This means that you could lose your job, a situation that could easily have been avoided by obtaining proper safety training.

The good news is that it doesn’t take much time or money to complete your certification, and once you do, the credentials are good throughout Helena, and the entire United States, Mexico and Canada. Here at US Forklift Certification, we have the training materials and written test that you need to get certified – they are just a click away. Simply go to our site at http://usforkliftcertification.com/ to access everything you need online, and you could end your day with a certificate in hand.