Who are the Operators of a High Capacity Telehandler? What are their Responsibilities?

So, you have decided on whether to rent or purchase a high capacity telehandler. You can get it placed easily on the construction site. It’s the skilled operators who drive and handle the entire system of lifting and placing a load efficiently. It’s the legal duty and responsibility of the operator to follow safe practices on site for the safety and security of workers, and pedestrians. But who is an operator? Can anyone become an operator of such large equipment because of their efficient driving skills?

No! A telehandler or any forklift operator should have a relevant year of onsite experience along with required academic qualifications. An operator is a professional who uses construction machines (especially lifting machines) to transport heavy loads in warehouses, construction fields, factories, etc. However, the operator is the one who has:

Experience of a minimum of 2 years in lifting and placement of loads and managing them.
High school diploma or equivalent qualification in courses related to telehandler and other forklift movements.
Excellent Knowledge of construction equipment especially those used for lifting loads.
Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with co-workers, vendors, and sometimes even clients.
Flexibility as per the situation on the site. Skilled operators adopt new technologies, ideas, and innovations.

Once you hire a skilled operator, they are assigned their duties and responsibilities. They have moral and legal responsibility in their job role to secure themselves and the population present on the site including pedestrians. However, there are set of specific duties that every high capacity telehandler operator has to follow before, during, and after the use of a telehandler. Let us discuss in detail their duties and responsibilities.

Key Points for Telehandler Operators:

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instruction Manual:

Whether large or small, every piece of equipment comes with an instruction manual that the operator has to follow before starting the machine. It contains every instruction right from operating to maintaining the telehandler. Serious misuse of telehandlers may well be treated as gross misconduct which could well lead to dismissal or individual prosecution.

Inform the Supervisors when Needed:

There are certain situations when you need to stop operating the high capacity telehandler and report to your supervisor immediately. It is divided into three stages:

If it is not safe to start work
If it is not safe to carry on working
When you discover any fault in case of suspended loads.

Factors to Consider Before Starting a High Capacity Telehandler:

You have a telehandler and a skilled operator to operate it. However, there are some factors to consider before you instruct or give a green signal to your operator.

Ensure that you are trained and authorized to operate telehandlers and have been familiarised with the specific model of telehandler you are about to operate. It includes driving on the public highway.
Verify with your supervisor that the telehandler has a current thorough examination report and has been suitably maintained.
Always carry out daily checks, including safety devices, before starting your shift. Report all defects to your supervisor before starting.
Ensure you have been briefed by your supervisor on the task, hazards, control measures (including designated exclusion zones) and site conditions that may affect the safe operation of the telehandler.
Ensure you have had authorization from your supervisor to carry out the task and you are comfortable with carrying out the task.

Factors to consider during the use of High Capacity Telehandler:

Here are some factors to consider if the operator finds any situation where operating a telehandler has to be immediately stopped in between of the work.

Ensure that you understand the telehandler’s limitations on the rating plate and load charts. Never overload the telehandler.
It is important to know your site. Be aware of slopes, ground conditions, visibility, pedestrians and other potential hazards that may affect the safe operation of the telehandler.
Wear your seat belt at all times to reduce the risk of injury. It will save your life.
Ensure you are familiar with using and changing any attachments you use. You must understand the attachment’s effect on the telehandler’s actual capacity.
Ensure you comply with the legal requirements for driving your telehandler on the public highway.

Looking for the right construction equipment rental/sale company with efficient operators? You can contact Torcan Lift Equipment for high capacity telehandler and other equipment. We deal in every type of construction equipment that you need for your small/medium/large scale projects. Moreover, we train operators through our telehandler operating courses and make them perfect with our theoretical and practical approach. Give us a call on 1-833-743-2500 and our representatives will connect with you.