Industrial truck operators, often known as "forklift operators," are in charge of transporting manufactured goods, grain, construction materials, or other big items around a plant or on and off ships. To operate such equipment, operators must be able to discern distances, have a good sense of balance, and have good eye-hand-foot coordination. 

Their key tasks include protecting the commodities they transport, ensuring that the items arrive at their intended destination, and adhering to strict safety measures to avoid rollovers and crashes. 

Other responsibilities include maintaining records of material moved and performing manual loading and unloading. Operators may also be checking, cleaning, fuelling, and servicing their vehicles, as well as performing small repairs. They must sometimes labour in extreme heat and cold, as well as in rain and snow. They may also work for extended periods of time. 

Most businesses prefer candidates with a high school certificate and demonstrated competence to operate with machinery; nevertheless, experience operating mobile equipment, such as farm tractors or armed forces vehicles, is also advantageous.