By Andrew Hunt
Safety on the home building job site has always been an area that receives significant attention from the media and from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors. But according to Vance Delsignore, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist for OSHA, construction-related injuries can be found in other areas of the industry as well.
"Work can be especially dangerous in the building products manufacturer, dealer and distributor businesses, because many of the same dangers are found in the warehouse that are on the builder's job site," said Delsignore in a presentation at the Pro Dealer conference held in Farmington, Pa.
The three most common job-site injuries in the product distribution industry are from falling, lumber handling and forklift safety. Of these, Delsignore believes that forklift safety should be a major concern.
Forklift overturns are the leading cause of fatalities involving forklifts in the United States and represent about 25% of all forklift-related deaths. Many of these fatalities could be avoided.
"Employers must make sure any employee who operates a power truck has the right training," said Delsignore.
OSHA, recognizing the risk, has developed a Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) Operator Training program that provides resources and explains the specific requirements for employers when developing a training program. The program is broken into three specific parts:
- Formal instruction is the first phase of the suggested PIT program. Employees must take class-room training to understand the features, maintenance and hazards of forklift operation. This includes information such as surviving a fork lift tip-over, which instructs the student to never try and jump from an overturning, sit-down-type forklift, but instead stay with the truck, holding on firmly and leaning in the opposite direction of the overturn. This part of the program can utilize video, group discussions, and written assessments.
- Hands-on training gives employees hands-on experience with operating forklifts or similar powered vehicles. Understanding how to safely maneuver the vehicle, load and unload various types of materials, and the dangers of tip-overs are stressed during this phase in a monitored, safe environment.
- Evaluation of operator competency is the final stage of the PIT Operator Training program. This could be both a written and operational test to ensure that employees can safely perform the tasks required of them.
"Certification must be recorded, and it is important to retain the documentation," stressed Delsignore. "This will help companies avoid citations and fines, but mostly will help keep employees safe."
Any employee who uses a forklift must be trained and also retrained every three years to comply with OSHA standards. In addition, regardless of the training, no employee under the age of 18 is allowed to operate forklift or other powered industrial truck.
Dangerous Discounts
Auctions are often an attractive place to shop for bargain equipment. While the prospective buyer might find a good deal on a used forklift or power truck, Delsignore cautions bidders to think about safety before purchase.
"Inspect the quality of equipment at auction to make sure it is up to OSHA safety standards. All forklifts built after 1970 must have a firmly attached seat and seat belt, and operators must always wear the seat belt."
For more information about OSHA regulations on forklifts, click here.
Andrew Hunt, a freelance writer who lives in Pittsburgh, covers the construction industry. He formerly worked at BuildIQ.
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