📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — The Telescopic Handlers online course trains commercial drivers, oilfield trucking operators, and heavy vehicle operators on Alberta and Canadian regulatory requirements. Delivered by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary. Same-day certificate.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: H2S Alive Calgary · Standard First Aid Calgary · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
TELESCOPIC HANDLERS ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
The forklift is the most important of all material handling equipment. Forklifts are found in most industries that require loads to be transferred from delivery trucks to warehouses and work sites.
This online Telescopic Handler course covers important aspects of telescopic handlers including their components, inspection, records, hazards, and safe operation.
TELESCOPIC HANDLER ONLINE COURSE TOPICS
- Components and warning labels
- Stability and capacity
- Common forklift hazards
- Safe operation
- Fueling and parking
TELESCOPIC HANDLER ONLINE COURSE DURATION: Approximately 90 minutes
TELESCOPIC HANDLER ONLINE COURSE TEST: Testing conducted in this online Telescopic Handler course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved.
TELESCOPIC HANDLER ONLINE COURSE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available to download and print.
TELESCOPIC HANDLER ONLINE COURSE PREVIEW
Additional Safety Knowledge
Crane Operator Qualifications in Alberta
Alberta OHS Code Part 21 requires crane operators to be competent, and for mobile cranes with a rated capacity over 5 tonnes, the operator must hold an Alberta Journeyperson or Provisional Journeyperson Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator certificate. Boom trucks, tower cranes, and overhead cranes each have specific certification pathways. Employers must verify operator credentials before work assignment.
Load Charts and Capacity Planning
Every lift must be planned using the manufacturer’s load chart specific to the crane configuration in use. Key variables that reduce lifting capacity include:
- Boom length and angle
- Load radius (horizontal distance from centre of rotation to load)
- Counterweight configuration
- Ground conditions and outrigger extension
- Wind speed — most cranes require shutdown at 32–40 km/h sustained wind
Operators must never exceed the load chart rating for the specific configuration and radius in use. A load exceeding chart capacity by even 10% can cause tipping or structural failure.
Rigging and Signal Person Requirements
Riggers must select slings rated for the load weight with an appropriate safety factor (typically 5:1 for synthetic slings). Wire rope slings, chain slings, and synthetic web slings each have distinct inspection criteria and rejection standards. A certified signal person is required whenever the operator’s view of the load is obstructed or when directed by the site safety plan. Standard hand signals must be used unless voice communication is established and verified.
Telescopic Handlers — Ground Conditions
The most common cause of crane tipping is soft or unstable ground under outriggers. Ground bearing capacity must be verified before setup. Timber pads or steel plates are required to distribute point loads. Slope, buried utilities, and proximity to excavations all affect ground stability. A daily pre-shift inspection of the setup is required in Alberta.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
