Pedestrian accidents

Eighteen percent of forklift accidents occur when a walking employee or other pedestrian is struck by a lift, according to Construction-injuries.com.

How can they be prevented? A report from Yale Materials Handling Corp. notes that the best way is to separate forklift and pedestrian traffic to the greatest extent possible. Facilities can use travel lanes for forklifts and pedestrians marked with paint on the floor or separated by physical barriers. Limitations may also be placed on travel areas for forklifts to keep them away from high density pedestrian traffic, such as near break rooms or time clocks.

Workplace rules for pedestrian safety can also be established, including:

* require forklift operators to sound the horn at intersections
* restrict customers and non-employees from areas where forklifts may be operating
* limit forklift travel speed
* use hi-visibility work clothes or vests for pedestrians
* require pedestrians not to come closer than a predetermined distance from the forklift, even when speaking with an operator

Training tips

Forklift training is a multi-faceted procedure, Rob Vetter, technical director of the Ives Training Group, told Forkliftaction.com.

He says that interaction is the key to classroom training. Instructors should:

* Ask questions to encourage discussion, and avoid yes/no responses
* Ask provocative questions that cover key issues, such as seat belt use and pedestrian right of way
* Make yourself available during breaks to interact with trainees

Out in the field, trainers must properly demonstrate techniques. Instructors should:

* Explain exactly what is required before putting trainees in the seat
* Issue clear, simple tasks, one at a time
* Ask trainees questions to initiate interaction and communication
* Have trainees repeat tasks until they are demonstrated correctly
* Review how things went with each training following the session

Thanks, Rob!

Don’t hire youths to operate forklifts

With the beginning of summer comes this important reminder to employers: don’t hire youths to operate forklifts!

OSHA regulations and the Fair Labor Standards Act are consistent in their forklift operator restrictions, including 29 CFR 570 of the FLSA, which specifically prohibits employees under 18 years of age from operating forklifts in non-agricultural employment.

Two recent forklift fatalities involving operators under 18 in Georgia and Massachusetts prompted OSHA to release this important message: “Given the significant number of young workers employed, especially during the summer months, OSHA believes that it is important to remind all employers of the regulations that prohibit workers under 18 from operating specified hazardous machines and equipment, including forklift trucks.”

Kaylex Co., Newnan, GA, was fined by the U.S. Labor Department after a 15-year-old forklift operator died from a forklift overturn in 2003. Avoid fines and keep youth safe by prohibiting them from operating your forklifts!

New Hampshire manufacturer faces OSHA fines following forklift fatality

A Milford, N.H., manufacturer of stone countertops faces $46,250 in OSHA fines following the Oct. 21, 2005 death of an employee who was crushed by a granite slab that fell on him after it was struck by a forklift.

Northern Marble & Granite Co. Inc. was cited for 29 alleged serious and two alleged other than serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

"Our inspection found that the granite slabs were not stored in a safe manner, exposing employees to fatal crushing injuries," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director.

Other conditions cited during the inspection included inadequate employee forklift training; uninspected and improperly modified forklifts; no specific procedures and training for locking out machines' power sources before performing maintenance; unguarded saws and grinders; unmarked exits, and exposed electrical parts. The company was also cited for lack of personal protective equipment and training; lack of a hearing conservation program; not surveying the workplace to identify hazardous confined spaces; and no written hazard communication program.

The company had 15 working days from receipt of its citations in April to comply by requesting and participating in an informal conference with OSHA or contesting them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Pre-use inspection

Before operating a forklift, drivers must complete an inspection which involves checking both the power plant and the forklift truck for damage and proper operation.

To check the power plant on a battery operated truck, inspect the battery for damage and loose connections and make sure vent holes are clean. On a truck powered by gasoline, diesel or propane, check for fuel tank damage or leaks and make sure all valves are secure.

When checking the forklift truck, look for damage to the mast, carriage, forks, overhead guard, backrest, hydraulic system and tires. Check all fluid levels, including oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid.

After starting the forklift, operators should check the lift, tilt, brakes, steering, lights and horn.

If anything is out of line, turn off the forklift and report the problem. Operators should never try and fix anything themselves.

Forklift attachments

Forklifts can be used to do many different jobs with a variety of attachment options, but you must follow the correct steps for adding attachments or expose operators to danger and your company to liability. If you buy a new forklift and attachment combination, the forklift will be properly labeled and safe to use, but if you try to add an attachment to an existing forklift, the process may be very challenging.

David Hoover, president of Forklift Training Systems, notes that forklift standards state that modifications must not be performed without the manufacturer’s consent. Any changes to a forklift must be reflected in its plate, tag and decals. The forklift must be marked to identify the attachment and show the weight and capacity of the new forklift/attachment combination. The nameplate and marking must be maintained in a readable condition.

To make these arrangements with a dealer or manufacturer, Hoover recommends these steps:

* Contact the local dealer for the brand of forklift to which you intend to add an attachment.
* If the dealer is not responsive, contact the factory directly.
* If you get no response from the dealer or manufacturer, OSHA permits hiring a registered engineer to test and approve the modification.

Parts of the forklift

The parts of a forklift include:

* Mast – the upright section that contains a set of tracks that house ball-bearing rollers and chains. It tilts forward or backward and may shift from side to side.

* Carriage – Housed within the mast, it contains the rollers that allow the load to move up and down. Forks are mounted to the carriage.

* Backrest – Mounted to the carriage, it keeps the load from falling back when forks are tilted back.

* Overhead guard – Keeps falling objects from hitting the operator but is not strong enough to withstand the force of a heavy load.

Note: These are basic parts of a forklift but each forklift has different controls, weight capacities and restrictions on where they can operate so every operator needs proper training in the requirements of the particular forklift in use.

Forklift vibration is a health hazard

Many kinds of machinery, including forklifts, produce vibrations, which can negatively impact an operator’s body and cause permanent disability, writes Dirk Zeinstra, a mechanical engineer, at Forkliftaction.com.

When exposed to vibrations and shock from machinery, employees can suffer hand and arm injuries and long term exposure can lead to hand, wrist and shoulder aches and limited blood flow. Reduced grip force, less flexibility in the hands and arthritis are also possible.

Forklift operators should drive in a style that minimizes exposure to shock and vibration. They should drive slowly and handle loads carefully. Forklifts can be equipped with better tires and seats to provide comfort. Other solutions include changing driver routes and improving road conditions to fix potholes and road bumps.