Forklift Certification in Canada: How It Works

Many people search for a “forklift licence” or “forklift ticket” because that is what they hear on job sites. But no province issues a forklift licence the way it issues a driver’s licence. What employers really want to see is proof that you were trained and evaluated.

That proof usually includes:

• Training on forklift theory and safe operation, from your employer or an outside trainer
• A written test on what you learned
• A practical evaluation where a qualified evaluator watches you operate the type of forklift you will use
• A record of the training, often a certificate and wallet card

In British Columbia, WorkSafeBC puts it plainly: workers do not need to be certified to operate a forklift, but they must first be trained to CSA standards and pass the test.

An online course alone does not make you a certified operator. It covers the theory. Before you operate a forklift at work, you also need a hands-on practical evaluation on the equipment you will use. This is usually done by your employer or a qualified evaluator. Gama Safety Canada also offers hands-on forklift training at our Burnaby, BC training centre or at your site.

Training is also specific to the type of truck. A sit-down counterbalance forklift, a stand-up reach truck and a rough terrain forklift all handle differently. If you move to a new type, expect more training.

Forklifts are called lift trucks in Canadian safety rules. CSA B335 is the Canadian safety standard for lift trucks, and it includes operator training. Each province and territory also has its own OHS regulations for mobile equipment.

The details vary by province, but the basic rules are the same across Canada:

• Operators must be trained and competent before they drive a forklift at work.
• Employers must make sure operators are trained, evaluated and supervised.
• Operators must inspect the forklift before use and report defects.
• Training must cover the type of forklift and the conditions at the workplace.

In BC, forklifts are covered by Part 16 (Mobile Equipment) of the OHS Regulation, which requires lift trucks to meet CSA B335 and operator training to meet that standard. If you also refuel a forklift by moving propane from one container to another, BC requires a propane handler’s certificate too.

Forklifts are grouped into classes by power source and design. The online course covers theory for Classes 1 to 5 and Class 7:

• Class 1: electric motor rider trucks (sit-down or stand-up counterbalance)
• Class 2: electric motor narrow-aisle trucks, such as reach trucks and order pickers
• Class 3: electric motor hand trucks, such as walkie stackers and pallet trucks
• Class 4: internal combustion trucks with cushion (solid) tires
• Class 5: internal combustion trucks with pneumatic tires
• Class 7: rough terrain forklifts for yards and construction sites

Anyone who will operate a forklift at work needs training before they start. That includes jobs in:

The online course suits new operators who want to do the theory first, certified operators who need a refresher, supervisors and safety managers, and employers training a team.

Gama Safety’s online Forklift course takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and has four modules:

1. Forklift Operator Training: the forklift classes, how a forklift works, and the training and practical evaluation an operator needs before driving at work.
2. Inspections of Equipment and Maintenance: how to do a daily pre-use inspection of forks, mast, tires, fluids and safety devices, and how to report defects.
3. Safe Operation Procedures: the stability triangle, load capacity and load charts, safe travel and turning, stacking, ramps, and working around pedestrians.
4. Hazards and Incidents: common hazards such as tip-overs, falling loads and pedestrian strikes, and what to do and report after an incident.

Two ideas come up again and again in forklift training:

• The stability triangle. A counterbalance forklift rests on three points: the two front wheels and the centre of the rear axle. As long as the combined centre of gravity of the truck and load stays inside that triangle, the truck stays upright. Turning too fast, braking hard, travelling with a raised load or driving across a slope can push it outside, and the truck can tip.
• Load capacity. Every forklift has a data plate that shows how much it can lift, at what load centre and to what height. A load that is longer, higher or further from the mast than the plate allows can be too much, even if it weighs less than the rated capacity.

There is no national expiry date. It depends on your province and your employer. In BC, WorkSafeBC says operators must get upgrade training at least every three years. Many employers elsewhere follow a similar cycle.

Employers also retrain operators sooner after an incident or near miss, if they see unsafe driving, or when an operator moves to a new type of forklift or work area. A new employer will usually check your skills on their own equipment, even if you have a certificate.

1. Enrol in the online Forklift course and start right away on your phone, tablet or computer.
2. Learn the theory at your own pace. Your progress saves automatically.
3. Pass the final exam with 80% or better. Retakes are unlimited and free. Download your certificate right away, and a wallet card is mailed to you free.
4. Complete your hands-on practical evaluation on the forklift you will use, with your employer, a qualified evaluator, or Gama Safety in Burnaby or at your site.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and more. Training a team? Volume pricing starts at 2 seats, with an admin dashboard. Questions? Call 1-866-661-9803.