This was on Yahoo's front page November 4, 2009.
This is an example of "worst case scenario" in forklift accidents. Actually, it could have been worse, the operator could have died. Fortunately, he didn't and only had minor injuries to his arms. I'm not sure if he was suspended or fired, but I would bet he was. The initial reports say $150,000 in damages!! He probably won't be using this company as a job reference.
One of the simplest rules we teach in our class..Always look in the direction you are traveling. Sounds like a waste of breathe, yet you would be surprised by the number of people who don't.
Check out the video!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Perils in the workplace!!
This is interesting. It's taken directly from The Bureau of Labor Statistics. It hasn't been updated in a few years, so the averages might have changed a little. The report was titled "Perils in the workplace".
On average, 17 workers are killed each day, on the job, including: 3 workers killed in highway vehicle incidents:
2 of whom are killed in either a collision between vehicles or
between a vehicle and a stationary object, such as a tree or
telephone pole;
the third is typically a driver whose vehicle has
jack-knifed or overturned.
2 to 3 workers are shot, at least 1 while tending a retail
establishment; 1 worker is stabbed, strangled, or beaten to death;
2 workers are killed from falls, typically from a ladder, roof,
or scaffold;
1 worker is killed in a vehicle incident occurring off the public
roadway, such as a farm tractor over turning in the field, or a
forklift overturning on industrial premises;
1 worker is killed after being struck by a vehicle;
1 worker is killed in either an aircraft crash or a water vehicle
or railway accident;
1 worker is killed by being struck by a falling object, such as a
tree being cut down, a cinder block falling from a construction
scaffold, or a vehicle falling off a jack during repair;
1 worker is electrocuted;
1 worker is killed in either a fire or explosion, from
drowning, or from inhaling a toxic substance;
1 worker commits suicide on the job or because of a job-related
incident; and
1 worker is killed by being caught in a machine or caught under
collapsing materials, such as in a trench cave-in or engulfment in
a grain bin.
Forklift Certification Specialist "Making the workplace safer, one operator at a time!"
On average, 17 workers are killed each day, on the job, including: 3 workers killed in highway vehicle incidents:
2 of whom are killed in either a collision between vehicles or
between a vehicle and a stationary object, such as a tree or
telephone pole;
the third is typically a driver whose vehicle has
jack-knifed or overturned.
2 to 3 workers are shot, at least 1 while tending a retail
establishment; 1 worker is stabbed, strangled, or beaten to death;
2 workers are killed from falls, typically from a ladder, roof,
or scaffold;
1 worker is killed in a vehicle incident occurring off the public
roadway, such as a farm tractor over turning in the field, or a
forklift overturning on industrial premises;
1 worker is killed after being struck by a vehicle;
1 worker is killed in either an aircraft crash or a water vehicle
or railway accident;
1 worker is killed by being struck by a falling object, such as a
tree being cut down, a cinder block falling from a construction
scaffold, or a vehicle falling off a jack during repair;
1 worker is electrocuted;
1 worker is killed in either a fire or explosion, from
drowning, or from inhaling a toxic substance;
1 worker commits suicide on the job or because of a job-related
incident; and
1 worker is killed by being caught in a machine or caught under
collapsing materials, such as in a trench cave-in or engulfment in
a grain bin.
Forklift Certification Specialist "Making the workplace safer, one operator at a time!"
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
How do I get trained on the forklift if I'm not certified to operate one?
How do I get trained on the forklift if I'm not certified to operate one? This is a question that I get frequently, and a good one.
OSHA's regulation 29 CFR 1910.178 states that "...Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck, the employer shall ensure that each operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely..."
Seems like a catch 22 at first, however,with further investigation we see that OSHA took this into consideration. Part of the (L) paragraph sections (a) and (b) they explain that trainees MAY operate the forklift. There are strict guidelines to doing so.
First, trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only under the direct supervision of persons who the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence.
Second, trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees.
These guidelines are serious, and are not to be abused. You can not have a trainee (person not properly trained or certified) operating a forklift without a trainer present.
Your company may not have a person designated as a trainer. For the purpose of training inexperienced operators you should appoint someones with "the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence." That person can get operators familiar with the basic operations of the forklift and ready to get certified.
Most certification companies require operators to already have some forklift experience. Some companies like Forklift Certification Specialist may come out and spend some extra time with "trainees" and get them up to speed. It usually depends on if there are others in the class and the amount of time necessary. Always discuss your unique requirements when scheduling with your training company. Training inexperienced operators takes extra time and needs to be planned for.
I hope this sheds some light on a sometimes confusing regulation. Remember, workplace safety is all our responsibility.
OSHA's regulation 29 CFR 1910.178 states that "...Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck, the employer shall ensure that each operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely..."
Seems like a catch 22 at first, however,with further investigation we see that OSHA took this into consideration. Part of the (L) paragraph sections (a) and (b) they explain that trainees MAY operate the forklift. There are strict guidelines to doing so.
First, trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only under the direct supervision of persons who the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence.
Second, trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees.
These guidelines are serious, and are not to be abused. You can not have a trainee (person not properly trained or certified) operating a forklift without a trainer present.
Your company may not have a person designated as a trainer. For the purpose of training inexperienced operators you should appoint someones with "the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence." That person can get operators familiar with the basic operations of the forklift and ready to get certified.
Most certification companies require operators to already have some forklift experience. Some companies like Forklift Certification Specialist may come out and spend some extra time with "trainees" and get them up to speed. It usually depends on if there are others in the class and the amount of time necessary. Always discuss your unique requirements when scheduling with your training company. Training inexperienced operators takes extra time and needs to be planned for.
I hope this sheds some light on a sometimes confusing regulation. Remember, workplace safety is all our responsibility.
Monday, October 26, 2009
What is forklift training?
After learning WHY proper forklift training is so important, the next question is...What does forklift training consist of? OSHA gives us guidelines that we should follow for the foundation of our training.
When referring to OSHA's regulation 29 CFR 1910.178(l) you can see the mandated topics that need to be covered. There are 13 truck-related topics and 9 workplace-related topics.
Moving on to the (m) section,of the same regulation, OSHA goes further into specific rules and regulations. The specific topics include: truck operations,traveling,loading,operation of the truck, and maintenance of industrial trucks.
Depending on your company, types of forklifts being used, and jobs the forklifts are being used for, some topics won't apply to your situation. Your work site may actually require MORE safety precautions!
One of the biggest advantages of using ON-SITE trainers is the fact that they can address your unique needs. I am a trainer for Forklift Certification Specialist based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth. One of the keys to our success is the fact that we shape our training to not only be OSHA compliant, but also site-specific.
Online certification is popular choice due to convenience and it's lower cost. However, we strongly advise companies going this route to also have someone in house who is very familiar with the forklifts they use, and the working environment they use them in. That person will still have to administer the driving test. Keep in mind..with online certification, students still must take the practical portion of the test by someone with the knowledge,training, and experience to do so.
After training hundreds of operators through on-site classes we've found that every single company has it's own unique concerns that need to be covered in training. Through evaluating the workplace,talking with managers and drivers those specific topics can be incorporated into the training class.
Proper forklift training does not have to be a mystery with a little research and the dedication to a safe working environment. Whether you have an in-house trainer, hire a company to do you training, or go online, make sure your training meets OSHA's standards and your own unique working environment needs.
When referring to OSHA's regulation 29 CFR 1910.178(l) you can see the mandated topics that need to be covered. There are 13 truck-related topics and 9 workplace-related topics.
Moving on to the (m) section,of the same regulation, OSHA goes further into specific rules and regulations. The specific topics include: truck operations,traveling,loading,operation of the truck, and maintenance of industrial trucks.
Depending on your company, types of forklifts being used, and jobs the forklifts are being used for, some topics won't apply to your situation. Your work site may actually require MORE safety precautions!
One of the biggest advantages of using ON-SITE trainers is the fact that they can address your unique needs. I am a trainer for Forklift Certification Specialist based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth. One of the keys to our success is the fact that we shape our training to not only be OSHA compliant, but also site-specific.
Online certification is popular choice due to convenience and it's lower cost. However, we strongly advise companies going this route to also have someone in house who is very familiar with the forklifts they use, and the working environment they use them in. That person will still have to administer the driving test. Keep in mind..with online certification, students still must take the practical portion of the test by someone with the knowledge,training, and experience to do so.
After training hundreds of operators through on-site classes we've found that every single company has it's own unique concerns that need to be covered in training. Through evaluating the workplace,talking with managers and drivers those specific topics can be incorporated into the training class.
Proper forklift training does not have to be a mystery with a little research and the dedication to a safe working environment. Whether you have an in-house trainer, hire a company to do you training, or go online, make sure your training meets OSHA's standards and your own unique working environment needs.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The importance of proper forklift training
Forklift safety, forklift training, and
forklift certification are important topics that need to be on the mind of anyone working with or around forklifts.
One of the first aspects of forklift safety is simply realizing what a forklift actually is...heavy machinery. All heavy machinery should only be operated after proper training has been completed. Seems like common sense, yet all across the United States forklifts are being operated by drivers with no formal training.
The number one reason for forklift training is safety.
OSHA reports there are over 90,000 forklift related accidents each year resulting in around 100 deaths. 70-90% of those accidents are due to operator error!
The second most important reason for training...IT'S THE LAW!!
The main two governing bodies for powered industrial trucks are OSHA and NIOSH. OSHA law states "The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated..." Fines for not doing so can be up to $7,000 per operator! Refresher training should be conducted at least every 3 years.
Other reasons for forklift training include(but not limited to) Less product damage, reduced worker's compensation rates, lower forklift maintenance cost, and increased production.
forklift certification are important topics that need to be on the mind of anyone working with or around forklifts.
One of the first aspects of forklift safety is simply realizing what a forklift actually is...heavy machinery. All heavy machinery should only be operated after proper training has been completed. Seems like common sense, yet all across the United States forklifts are being operated by drivers with no formal training.
The number one reason for forklift training is safety.
OSHA reports there are over 90,000 forklift related accidents each year resulting in around 100 deaths. 70-90% of those accidents are due to operator error!
The second most important reason for training...IT'S THE LAW!!
The main two governing bodies for powered industrial trucks are OSHA and NIOSH. OSHA law states "The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated..." Fines for not doing so can be up to $7,000 per operator! Refresher training should be conducted at least every 3 years.
Other reasons for forklift training include(but not limited to) Less product damage, reduced worker's compensation rates, lower forklift maintenance cost, and increased production.
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