Powered Industrial Lift Truck
Material Handling Safety Inc.
provides customized on-site training that is specific to each companys OSHA
safety training requirements (click here to view regulations).
A survey of equipment and facilities is completed prior to any training
so that the instruction is specific to the equipment and attachments used, as
well as the location that the equipment is operated. All training is provided
by a Material Handling Specialist that exceeds the trainer requirements listed
in the Frequently Asked Question section on the OSHA website that states the
following:
Who should
conduct the training?
All
training and evaluation must be conducted by persons with the necessary
knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators
and evaluate their competence. An example of a
qualified trainer would be a person who, by possession of a recognized degree,
certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training,
and experience has demonstrated the ability to train and evaluate powered
industrial truck operators.
Can your company purchase a canned
program and comply with the standard?
In
the final rule, this questions is addressed in section III As the above
discussion indicates, it is not possible to identify all the hazards that are
encountered in all industrial truck operations. Accordingly one cannot develop
a single "generic" training program that covers in detail all hazards
for all powered industrial trucks and all workplaces
What type of equipment is regulated by
the training requirements?
Powered industrial trucks are classified by
their manufacturers according to their individual characteristics. There are
seven classes of powered industrial trucks:
Class 1--Electric Motor, Sit-down Rider, Counter-Balanced
Trucks (Solid and Pneumatic Tires).
Class 2--Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks (Solid Tires).
Class 3--Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks
(Solid Tires).
Class 4--Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Solid Tires).
Class 5--Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires).
Class 6--Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors
(Solid and Pneumatic Tires).
Class 7--Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (Pneumatic Tires).
Each of the different types of powered industrial trucks
has its own unique characteristics and some inherent hazards. To be most
effective, training must address the unique characteristics of the type of
vehicle(s) the employee is being trained to operate.
Where
must training take place?
In
this final rule, OSHA requires that operators of powered industrial trucks be
trained in the operation of such vehicles before they are allowed to operate
them independently. The training must consist of instruction (both
classroom-type and practical training) in proper vehicle operation, the hazards
of operating the vehicle in the workplace, and the
requirements of the OSHA standard for powered industrial trucks. Operators who
have completed training must then be evaluated while they operate the vehicle
in the workplace. Operators must also be periodically evaluated (at least once
every three years) to ensure that their skills remain at a high level and must
receive refresher training whenever there is a demonstrated need for it. The
new standard replaces very general training provisions that have had only a
modest impact in reducing truck-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Each Custom Program covers the following:
Vehicle capacity for all equipment operated
Vehicle Stability
Operating Limitations of each piece of equipment and
attachments
Proper Vehicle Inspection prior to operation
Proper Refueling and
Equipment attachment operation and limitations
Workplace related safety issues specific to the
operating location(s) of equipment
Review of surface conditions where vehicle is to be
operated
Review and instruction on handling probable loads with
composition variances
Review and instruction of Load Manipulation, stacking
and un-stacking
Cover all areas of dock safety including operation on
ramps and other sloped surfaces
Hands-on evaluation of each operator with all
applicable equipment and all attachments
Easy to understand illustrations and explanations of
the regulations
Retraining information for safety training personnel
Special considerations for illiteracy and other
communication problems
Material handling safety analysis and recommendations in
writing
Written driver evaluations
Operation test covering federal regulations and
recommendations and company applications
Information on refueling and fuel storage
Complete list of participants, test scores, and missed
questions
Graph of results
Wall certificates and wallet size laminated
certification card for all program graduates
Follow up consultation
Answers to any material handling safety questions
Classes are performed around
your shift schedule, including weekends, and are given by a Material Handling
Safety Specialist with over 18 years of training experience.
All instruction provided
satisfies the OSHA compliance training requirements (listed below) as well as
the regulations and/or safety recommendations of NFPA, ITA, and ANSI.
OSHA Compliance Training Highlights
Sec. 1910.178
Powered industrial trucks.
* * * * *
(l) Operator training.
(1) Safe operation.
(i) 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 paragraph (l).
(ii) Prior to
permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for
training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has
successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as
permitted by paragraph (l)(5).
(2) Training program
implementation. (i) Trainees may operate a
powered industrial truck only:
(A) Under the direct
supervision of persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to
train operators and evaluate their competence; and
(B) Where such
operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees.
(ii) Training shall
consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion,
interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical
training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises
performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the
workplace.
(iii) All operator
training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge,
training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate
their competence.
(3) Training program
content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training
in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are
not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace.
(i)
Truck-related topics:
(A) Operating
instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator
will be authorized to operate;
(B) Differences between
the truck and the automobile;
(C) Truck controls and
instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work;
(D) Engine or motor
operation;
(E) Steering and
maneuvering;
(F) Visibility
(including restrictions due to loading);
(G) Fork and attachment
adaptation, operation, and use limitations;
(H) Vehicle capacity;
(I) Vehicle stability;
(J) Any vehicle
inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform;
(K) Refueling and/or
charging and recharging of batteries;
(L) Operating
limitations;
(M) Any other operating
instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the
types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate.
(ii) Workplace-related
topics:
(A) Surface conditions
where the vehicle will be operated;
(B) Composition of
loads to be carried and load stability;
(C) Load manipulation,
stacking, and unstacking;
(D) Pedestrian traffic
in areas where the vehicle will be operated;
(E) Narrow aisles and
other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated;
(F) Hazardous
(classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated;
(G) Ramps and other
sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability;
(H) Closed environments
and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance
could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust;
(I) Other unique or
potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could
affect safe operation.
(iii) The requirements
of this section.
(4) Refresher
training and evaluation. (i) Refresher training,
including an evaluation of the effectiveness of that training, shall be
conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure that the operator has
the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered industrial truck safely.
(ii) Refresher training
in relevant topics shall be provided to the operator when:
(A) The operator has
been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner;
(B) The operator has
been involved in an accident or near-miss incident;
(C) The operator has
received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the
truck safely;
(D) The operator is
assigned to drive a different type of truck; or
(E) A condition in the
workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck.
(iii) An evaluation of
each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at
least once every three years.
...
VIII. Summary and Explanation of the Final Standard
A. General
In this final rule, OSHA requires that operators of powered industrial trucks be trained in the operation of such vehicles before they are allowed to operate them independently. The training must consist of instruction (both classroom-type and practical training) in proper vehicle operation, the hazards of operating the vehicle in the workplace, and the requirements of the OSHA standard for powered industrial trucks. Operators who have completed training must then be evaluated while they operate the vehicle in the workplace. Operators must also be periodically evaluated (at least once every three years) to ensure that their skills remain at a high level and must receive refresher training whenever there is a demonstrated need for it. The new standard replaces very general training provisions that have had only a modest impact in reducing truck-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
home / Crane
/ Aerial
/ Links
/ OSHA
/ Contact
Last revised:
© Copyright 2003 Charles Snowdy All Rights Reserved