october2024 - 19

intended to reduce the number of
injuries and deaths that occur as a
result of inadequate operator training.
They apply to all industries
-- including general industry, construction,
shipyards, marine terminals
and longshoring operations -- in
which the trucks are used, except
agricultural operations.
These provisions mandate a trainPHOTO
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ing program that bases the amount
and type of training required on
the operator's prior knowledge and
skill; the types of powered industrial
trucks the operator will operate in
the workplace; the workplace hazards
present; and the operator's demonstrated
ability to operate a powered
industrial truck safely.
It also requires refresher training
if - the operator is involved in an
accident or a near-miss incident; the
operator was observed operating the
vehicle in an unsafe manner; the
operator has been determined during
an evaluation to need additional
training; there are changes in the
workplace that could affect safe operation
of the truck; or the operator is
assigned to operate a different type
of truck. Evaluation of each operator's
performance is required as part
of their initial and refresher training,
and at least once every three years.
Employee Training
It is critical that every employer
develop, implement and enforce a
comprehensive documented PIT
safety program that includes operator
training, evaluation, licensure and a
timetable for reviewing and revising
the program.
At minimum, PIT programs should
ensure that workers do not operate
a fork truck unless they have been
trained, evaluated and licensed,
and that licenses are required for
every type of vehicle the employee
will operate. Training must cover
all aspects of the equipment the
Forklift training must cover all aspects of the
equipment the worker is going to operate.
worker is going to operate including
the basics (e.g. when to set the parking
brake) and factors that affect
the stability of a fork truck-such
as driving behavior, the weight and
symmetry of the load, the speed at
which the fork truck is traveling,
the operating surface, tire pressure
and type of tire, and how to perform
a daily operational inspection per
manufacturers (or your company)
requirements.
Operators must understand handling
asymmetrical loads when their
work includes this activity. Operators
of sit-down type fork trucks must
understand the overhead guard is
present to protect them from material
being moved from an overhead
position or debris from their load
falling on them.
It is critical to ensure fork truck
operator restraint systems are always
used. Since 1992, fork truck manufacturers
have been required to equip
new sit-down type fork trucks (counterbalance)
with operator restraint
systems. Many manufacturers offer
restraint systems that can be retrofitted
on older fork trucks. Many
operator fatalities might have been
prevented if the operator had been
restrained. Train the operator to stay
on the truck and hold firmly onto the
steering wheel and lean away from
the point of impact if lateral or longitudinal
tip over occurs. The overhead
guard and the structure of the fork
truck can crush the operator's head,
limbs or torso if he or she falls or
jumps out the operator's compartment
during a tip-over.
Train operators of stand-up style
fork trucks with rear access that
when a stand-up rider truck tips over,
they can exit the vehicle by simply
stepping backward, perpendicular to
the direction of the vehicle's fall, to
avoid being crushed. In this situation,
the operator usually should attempt
to jump clear of the vehicle, and
should be trained accordingly.[3]
On numerous occasions, fork
truck operators have stated - without
reserve - their opinion of " what a
nuisance the restraint system is and
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october2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of october2024
