Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. They can also be used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or smaller objects on pallets, in crates, or other containers. This safety topic will help workers recognize the dangers of working with and around forklifts. Note, according to OSHA, over-the-road haulage trucks and earth-moving equipment that has been modified to accept forks are not considered powered industrial trucks.
OSHA Standard 1910.178 covers the requirements for forklifts of all types including rough terrain forklifts, telescoping or boom forklifts, and industrial forklifts. For other mechanized equipment such as loaders, graders, and excavators look to OSHA Standard 1926.600. Emergency personnel responding to a fatal incident involving two construction
workers killed when the forklift tipped over. Incidents like this can often be prevented by following proper training and taking caution when working around forklifts. (*1) News Article: http://bit.ly/1CMCzRl www.edmondsun.com
• The first and most important rule to follow with forklifts – get trained!
• Many injuries to both the operator and their co-workers occur because the user of the forklift was not trained in the specific model and type of forklift they tried to use.
Two additional pieces of heavy equipment attempt to upright this forklift after the operator tipped it over. Fortunately no one was injured. Incidents like this can happen to the most experienced operators. Never attempt to use equipment you have not been trained to operate.
OSHA Standard 1910.178(l)(1)(i) states the employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this [standard].
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER This material is the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC. Purchase of this material from Weeklysafety.com, LLC grants the owner the right to use this material for workplace safety and education purposes only. Use of this material for any other purpose, particularly commercial use, is prohibited. This material, including the photos, may not be resold. Weeklysafety.com, LLC does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in these materials. Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety requirements. These materials are meant for informational purposes only and it is not the intent of Weeklysafety.com, LLC to provide compliance-based training. The intent is more to address hazard awareness in the construction and related industries, and to recognize the potential hazards present in many workplaces. These materials are intended to discuss Federal Regulations only, as individual State requirements may be more stringent. Many states operate their own state OSHA and may have standards that are different from information presented in this training. It is the responsibility of the employer and its employees to comply with all pertinent OSHA safety rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work.
PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Unless specified below, all photos are the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC and may not be used in any other training materials or resold for any purpose.
For more information on this weekly safety topic, other topics that are available and the full list of FAQs please visit www.weeklysafety.com or email [email protected].
• (*8) Photo Credit – Robbie Sproule; Watch out for other people!. https://www.flickr.com/photos/robbie1/250162011/
• (*9) Photo Credit – Alameda County Community Food Bank; ABC7 cameraman takes a ride. https://www.flickr.com/photos/accfb/5270059910/
• (*10) Photo Credit – Chris Hunkeler; Clear to Lift. Cropped and colored to focus on seatbelt use. https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrishunkeler/9264939689/
• (*11) Photo Credit – Miss Wetzel's Art Class; Nathan.Robillard-5.jpg. Cropped and colored to focus on seatbelt use. https://www.flickr.com/photos/artwetzel/8515756069/
