Forklift Spotter | Torchora

🎯 Role Definition

As a Forklift Spotter, you are the critical safety link in our material handling operations. You will serve as a dedicated "ground guide," responsible for directing forklift operators through congested areas, around blind corners, and during complex loading or unloading procedures. Your primary mission is to prevent accidents, protect pedestrians, and ensure equipment and products are handled without damage. This role is fundamental to maintaining our high standards of safety and operational excellence, making you an indispensable member of the logistics and warehouse floor team.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate
Order Picker / Packer
General Laborer

Advancement To:

Forklift Operator
Warehouse Team Lead
Inventory Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Material Handler

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Act as the primary visual guide for forklift operators, ensuring safe movement of heavy equipment in areas with limited visibility or high foot traffic.
Utilize a clear and standardized system of hand signals to communicate instructions like stop, go, slow down, raise/lower forks, and emergency stops.
Proactively scan the operational area to identify and mitigate potential hazards, including pedestrians, debris, spills, or other equipment.
Maintain constant, clear communication with equipment operators using two-way radios to provide directions and safety alerts.
Direct the precise placement and retrieval of goods, pallets, and materials within the warehouse, yard, or production floor.
Ensure all pedestrian walkways, emergency exits, and equipment pathways remain clear and unobstructed during forklift operation.
Verify that loads are properly stacked, balanced, and secured on the forks before and during transit to prevent spills or damage.
Enforce all company safety policies, procedures, and OSHA regulations to cultivate a culture of safety among all team members.
Intervene and authoritatively halt any operation immediately if an unsafe condition is observed, putting safety above all else.
Guide forklift operators safely during the critical processes of loading and unloading materials from trucks, trailers, and shipping containers.
Assist in establishing and maintaining safe work zones using cones, caution tape, and other physical barriers.
Conduct pre-shift inspections of communication equipment (radios) and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure they are in proper working order.
Maintain heightened situational awareness at all times to anticipate potential conflicts between equipment, structures, and people.
Immediately report any accidents, incidents, near-misses, or hazardous conditions to the shift supervisor for documentation and corrective action.
Help control the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic within the shipping/receiving docks and yard areas to prevent collisions.
Check for and communicate the presence of overhead obstructions such as piping, support beams, or low-hanging fixtures.
Confirm that dock plates, levelers, and wheel chocks are correctly and securely in place before a forklift enters a trailer.
Direct operators to maintain appropriate speeds and adhere to designated traffic routes throughout the facility.
Assist in maintaining a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment through good housekeeping practices.
Wear all company-mandated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a high-visibility vest, steel-toed boots, and safety glasses, without exception.

Secondary Functions

Assist with cycle counts and physical inventory checks during periods of lower operational tempo.
Participate actively in daily safety meetings and contribute valuable on-the-ground feedback to improve safety protocols.
Work closely with shipping, receiving, and inventory teams to ensure a seamless and efficient operational workflow.
Engage in daily team huddles to help plan, coordinate, and synchronize the day's material handling activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expertise in Hand Signals: Mastery of the universal hand signals for guiding heavy equipment operators.
Two-Way Radio Proficiency: Clear and concise communication etiquette using handheld radios.
Knowledge of Safety Regulations: Strong understanding of OSHA standards and general warehouse safety protocols.
Spatial Awareness: Ability to accurately judge distances, clearances, and the turning radius of forklifts.
Understanding of Load Dynamics: Basic knowledge of weight distribution, balance, and load stability.

Soft Skills

Communication: Exceptional verbal and non-verbal communication skills to convey instructions effectively and unambiguously.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous ability to spot potential hazards and inconsistencies in a busy environment.
Decisiveness: The confidence and authority to make quick, firm decisions to ensure safety, including stopping an operation.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work seamlessly with operators and other warehouse staff to achieve common goals.
Situational Awareness: A constant state of alertness and consciousness of one's surroundings to anticipate and prevent accidents.
Dependability: Punctual and reliable, understanding that the team depends on your presence for safe operations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Certification.
First Aid/CPR Certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

N/A
Logistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 6 months - 2 years of experience in a relevant environment.

Preferred:

Prior experience as a spotter, rigger, or signalperson in a high-volume warehouse, distribution center, manufacturing plant, or construction setting.
Verifiable experience working in an environment with a strong safety culture and program.