Richard Bashore 
Reading Electric 
Reading, Pennsylvania 
Management Services Committee Member 

In 1999, due to the large number of forklift accidents and deaths, U.S. OSHA Standard 29CFR1910.178 changed. The standard requires employers to train and authorize any employee who operates any type of specialized industrial truck powered by electric motor or internal combus­tion engine in the workplace. Mem­bers outside the U.S. likely have similar laws they must comply with. 

In addition, re-training is re­quired every 3 years or if there is a change of equipment, a near miss or accident in the workplace, or if the operator is handling the forklift in an unsafe manner. 

More employees trained 
Prior to 1999, our company trained all forklift operators through a local training organization. When the standard was revised, we chose to have two employees attend a class to be trained and certified as forklift trainers. This required attending a full day of classroom training and completing a final writ­ten evaluation. 

Today, all our service center em­ployees are trained and certified to use the forklift. The initial certifica­tion is a combination of theory and handling practice under the direct supervision of our trainer. 

A written test on the theory must be passed with a grade of 80% or better, and we have a check-list of skills the driver must demonstrate prior to certification. 

A pocket-sized certification card is presented to each person who meets the standard. Subsequently, every three years we re-certify drivers. The names of those certified to use the forklift are posted throughout the shop. 

Our written program covers the OSHA requirements, such as: 

• Types and characteristics of forklifts 
• Pre-operation inspection procedures 
• Basic driving, stability and load handling 
• Fuel and batteries 
• Attachments 

There are many forklift training tools and program guides available from your regional OSHA office or from the National Technical Informa­tion Services (NTIS). 

Categories: Safety, Service center equipment

Tags: Safety Fork lifts Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

Rate this article:

No rating

Print