SDCB Forklift Certification: What It Is and How to Get It

A sit-down counterbalance forklift is the classic forklift you see in warehouses, yards and distribution centres. The operator sits facing forward. The forks are at the front, and a heavy counterweight at the back balances the load, like a seesaw.

SDCB forklifts come in a few classes:

• Class 1: electric motor, battery powered. Common indoors because there are no exhaust fumes.
• Class 4: internal combustion engine with cushion tires, usually propane, for smooth indoor floors.
• Class 5: internal combustion engine with pneumatic tires, using propane, gas or diesel, for outdoor yards and rougher surfaces.

Other trucks, such as stand-up reach trucks, order pickers and rough terrain forklifts, handle differently. Training on one type does not automatically cover another.

Most forklift tip-overs come down to stability. Three ideas explain it:

Rear-wheel steering is another key point. The back of an SDCB forklift swings out when you turn, which can catch pedestrians, racking or your own feet if you are not careful. Always wear the seat belt. In a tip-over, stay in the seat, hold on and lean away from the fall.

There is no government forklift licence in Canada. Instead, provincial OHS regulations require employers to make sure operators are trained and competent before they drive. Forklifts are covered by CSA B335, the Canadian safety standard for lift trucks, which includes operator training requirements.

In British Columbia, for example, WorkSafeBC says operators do not need to be “certified” but must be trained to the CSA standard and pass a test before operating a lift truck. It also says operators must receive upgrade training at least every three years. Operators must inspect the truck before it is first used on a shift and report defects. If you refuel by transferring propane from one container to another, you also need a propane handler’s certificate.

Other provinces have their own rules, so check with your employer. In every province, the employer is responsible for making sure you are competent on the truck you use.

When you start a new job, expect your new employer to check your skills even if you already have a certificate. They must make sure you can safely run their trucks, in their building, with their loads. A site orientation covering traffic routes, pedestrian areas, docks and charging or refuelling areas is normal.

• New operators who want to do the theory before their hands-on training.
• Certified operators who need a refresher or upgrade training.
• Supervisors and safety managers who oversee forklift work.
• Employers training a team.

Pedestrians who work around forklifts, such as pickers and shippers, also benefit from knowing how these trucks move and where the blind spots are.

Gama Safety’s online SDCB Forklift course has nine modules:

1. Introduction to Sit Down Counterbalance Forklifts: the Class 1, 4 and 5 types and where each is used.
2. Forklift Components and Operation: the mast, forks, hydraulics, capacity plate and safety features.
3. Safety Protocols and Pre-Operational Inspections: daily checks of tires, forks, fluids, brakes and safety devices, and how to tag out a faulty truck.
4. Operating the Forklift: start-up and shutdown, rear-wheel steering, travel speeds, picking up and placing loads, and parking.
5. Advanced Operating Techniques: stacking at height, ramps and slopes, loading docks and trailers.
6. Personal Protective Equipment: the PPE operators and nearby workers need, and using the seat belt.
7. Emergency Procedures: tip-overs, fire, fuel leaks, hydraulic failure, and reporting incidents and near misses.
8. Practical Hands-On Training: an overview of the driving and load-handling skills you will show during your hands-on evaluation.
9. Maintenance and Troubleshooting: basic operator maintenance, battery charging and propane cylinder changes.

The online course is the theory part. It does not make you a certified operator on its own. Before you operate a forklift at work, you also need a hands-on practical evaluation on the equipment you will use, usually done by your employer or a qualified evaluator.

Gama Safety offers hands-on SDCB forklift training at our Burnaby, BC training centre or at your site. Many operators do the theory online first, then book the practical.

Does it expire? There is no national expiry date. In BC, WorkSafeBC expects upgrade training at least every three years. Other provinces and employers set their own cycle, and many ask for a refresher every 1 to 3 years, or sooner after an incident, unsafe driving or a change to a new type of truck.

1. Enrol in the online SDCB Forklift course and start right away on any device.
2. Learn at your own pace. The course takes about 4 hours, and your progress saves automatically.
3. Pass the final exam with 80% or better. Retakes are unlimited and free. Download your certificate right away, and get a wallet card mailed free.
4. Complete your hands-on evaluation with your employer, a qualified evaluator, or Gama in Burnaby or at your site.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and more, and it is recognized by employers across Canada. Team pricing starts at 2 seats. Call 1-866-661-9803 or email info@gamasafety.ca.