OSHA Seeks Industry Input on Forklift Safety Standard

Posted on 3/12/2019 by Roger Marks

OSHA is seeking industry’s input on its Powered Industrial Truck (Forklifts) Standard. In a Request for Information (RFI) published to the Federal Register on March 11, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requests information and comments about the requirements for forklifts and other trucks under the general industry, maritime, and construction Standards.

OSHA wants to know more about:

The type, age, and use of powered industrial trucks in industry
Maintenance and retrofitting of powered industrial trucks
How OSHA should regulate older powered industrial trucks
The types of accidents and injuries associated with powered industrial trucks; and
The cost and benefits of retrofitting PITs with safety features

In addition, OSHA requests comment on whether the differences between its maritime, construction, and general industry Standards are appropriate and effective for each industrial sector.

See the RFI in the Federal Register here.

In November 2018, Lion News reported OSHA’s plans to update the forklifts safety Standard and the Lockout/Tagout Standard in 2019. OSHA’s current forklift safety standards are based on ANSI standards released in 1969, were promulgated in 1971, and were updated only one time—in 1998.

Since updating the Standard in 1998, OSHA has issued two interpretations of the forklift regulations, in 1999 and 2004.

More Than Forklifts

OSHA defines powered industrial trucks as vehicles:

Controlled by a riding operator, or
Remotely controlled, or
Controlled by an operate standing alongside

In addition to the typical forklift, the powered industrial truck regulations can apply to vehicles like powered pallet jacks, shopping cart caddies, order pickers, and other similar machines.

OSHA commonly lists forklift accidents as one of the top ten workplace health and safety concerns in the US each year. By providing effective forklift safety training, employers can protect forklift operators and other employees from injury on the job. Employees with proper training are prepared to safely operate and maintain these lifts and avoid accidents.

To help forklift drivers meet OSHA’s formal instruction requirement at 29 CFR 1910.178(I), Lion Technology provides the Forklift Safety Online Course. Available 24/7, this online course teaches the principles for operating forklifts; using safety equipment; loading, balancing, and lifting loads; inspecting and maintaining lifts; parking; and refueling/recharging safely.

Tags: forklift, forklifts, osha, safety, training, worker safety

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.