The powered industrial trucks (PIT) standard (29 CFR 1910.178) is the most commonly cited standard throughout the material handling industries. Most fatalities occur when a worker is crushed by a forklift that has overturned or fallen from a loading dock. The Southeastern USA Regional OSHA is conducting a special emphasis program on Powered Industrial Trucks.
Even if your shop is not in the Southeast U.S. Region, here’s what you need to know:
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a new emphasis program focused on reducing fatalities and serious injuries in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi, related to powered industrial trucks.
The goal of the special emphasis program is to encourage employers to bring their facilities into compliance with OSHA standards in the maritime, construction and general industries. The regional emphasis program began on May 29 and will continue until Sept. 30, 2012, unless it is extended.
PMPA staff urges all PMPA members with powered industrial trucks to take this opportunity to review their training, procedures and compliance programs. Here are 3 resources
- OSHA Loading and Unloading Page (links to many resources here!)
- OSHA Training Requirements
- PMPA Blog “5 Questions for Forklift Inspection Compliance”
OSHA Special Emphasis News Release (announced on June 20th for a program begun on May 29th … nice job on the paperwork, DOL / OSHA)
Photo credit: Motifake