Forklift Safety and OSHA
Carelessness cannot be tolerated in forklift operation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates there are 680,400 forklift accidents each year. Approximately 90,000 employees suffer some type of injury involving forklifts and the majority of forklift accidents occur due to poorly trained employees.
Accidents happen, but increased and effective training can reduce the number that occur. Taking simple precautions, such as not driving with excessive speed or taking sharp turns, can reduce a number of accidents. In 1998, OSHA issued new requirements to improve training of powered industrial truck operators. OSHA’s new forklift standards were implemented to reduce the number of injuries and deaths occurring as a result of inadequate operator training.
OSHA’s Forklift Standards
The new forklift standards require employers to develop and implement a training program based on the general principles of safe truck operation, the types of vehicles being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicles and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.
Trained operators must know how to do the job properly, and do it safely, as demonstrated by workplace evaluation. Formal and practical training must be provided. Employers must also certify each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years. Additionally, refresher training is needed whenever an operator demonstrates a deficiency in the safe operation of the truck. Every type of establishment with employees who operate powered industrial trucks must comply with the requirements of the standard.
Forklift Safety Training
SafetyArc.com, a leading provider of safety training programs, knows an effective forklift training program will produce many benefits. Among these are employee safety, lower costs of compensation insurance, less property damage and less product damage.
Through SafetyArc.com’s Forklift Safety training, you will learn about the various types of forklift vehicles and the standards OSHA requires for forklift training. You will also review the principles of forklift stability and a variety of safety tips and devices.
SafetyArc.com’s Forklift Safety course includes a variety of professional elements including audio, video and assessments. Additionally, employers have the option to customize training courses to their organization’s specific needs. Training is conveniently available from any location with a computer and Internet connection. Click here to learn more about SafetyArc.com’s online Forklift Safety training course.