OSHA Regulations Pertaining to Powered Industrial Trucks – Part I

If you are a warehouse manager, then you are well aware of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. government agency responsible for the safe use of powered industrial trucks also known as forklifts.

The actual regulation that covers powered industrial truck use is OSHA Rule 1910.178, which provides a detailed explanation of all aspects of powered industrial truck use including:

·      Assignment of Responsibilities
·      Operator Training
·      Pre-Use Inspections
·      Operating Procedures
·      Fueling Procedures
·      Program Audit
·      Recordkeeping

We will be developing a series of articles that discuss the OSHA 1910.178 regulations. Each aspect listed above will be discussed so that warehouse managers are well aware of their responsibilities as far as OSHA rules on forklift use is concerned.

Assignment of Responsibilities

Of course, different warehouse executives and personnel have particular responsibilities in executing OSHA Rule 1910.178 including management, the program administrator, supervisor, and employees who operate the trucks. Here is a breakdown of those responsibilities.

Managements’ Responsibilities

·      Provide equipment that is safe to operate.
·      Discourage modifications to equipment except when authorized by the equipment manufacturer.
·      Provide adequate operator safety training on all equipment used to move materials.
·      Establish and enforce safe operating rules and procedures.

Responsibilities of the Program Administrator

·      Make certain that the equipment is safe to use.
·      Discourage modifications to equipment except when authorized by the equipment manufacturer.
·      Guarantee proper powered industrial vehicle/forklift training is offered and certify that each operator was trained and evaluated.
·      Create and enforce safe operating rules and procedures.
·      Conduct an annual review of the program.

Supervisor Responsibilities

·      Assign and identify employees who are responsible for operating powered industrial trucks.
·      Monitor the safe use of the equipment.
·      Make certain that no employees under their authority operate a powered industrial truck without proper certification.
·      Confirm that there is retraining of forklift operators when appropriate.
·      Make certain the equipment is inspected daily.
·      Make certain that damaged equipment is tagged “out of service” and removed from use.
·      Make certain that equipment is repaired when a malfunction occurs.

Employee Responsibilities

·      Operate only the equipment for which they were trained and authorized.
·      Perform daily pre-use inspections.
·      Report equipment damage or other unsafe conditions affecting the safe operation of the truck.
·      Attend training sessions
·      Follow all safety rules and operating practices.

(Next time: Training)