You’ve probably heard it a hundred times: if you have forklifts in your facility, they are likely the most dangerous piece of equipment there. Accounting for 680,000 accidents, 95,000 injuries and nearly a hundred deaths every year, forklifts are a necessary but perilous piece of handling equipment. This is why people buy things like rack upright guards or steel guard railing – to keep them from hitting people, warehouse racks, equipment and storage media. Etcetera Software has developed a simulator for forklift drivers that you could find useful if you’re dealing with lift truck drivers.

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OSHA has released an eTool (which is basically just an informational web page) for powered lift trucks that you might find useful. It has drill-down information on the following categories:

• Basic  Types and Fundamentals – The differing types and fundamentals of powered trucks
• Operating the Forklift – the basic operating rules and safe work practices
• Understanding the Workplace – how workplace conditions can affect safe operation
• Training Assistance – operator training required by OSHA

This information specifically addresses OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck requirements [29 CFR 1910.178]

From a total of 39,324 inspections last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found 88,846 violations. For warehousers, distributors and manufacturers, the list is familiar.

1. Scaffolding
2. Fall protection
3. Hazard communication
4. Control of hazardous energy
5. Respiratory protection
6. Powered industrial trucks
7. Electrical (wiring)
8. Ladders
9. Machine guarding
10. Electrical (general requirements).

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