[Clayart] Forklift accidents
Joseph Herbert via Clayart
I have been going to the Brookhaven campus of the now Dallas College, a
community college in Dallas County Texas (formerly site of Artimator
adventures) and have a little something to share with academics out there.
Over the summer there was a forklift accident (someone tried to use an
under-capacity forklift to unload an object from a truck.) that resulted in
damage to the object and a near miss of a fatality.
As a former safety trainer, the incident prompted me to think about the
legal requirements imposed on employers who own forklifts. From OSHA:
OSHA outlines safety requirements for forklifts and powered industrial
trucks under standard 29 CFR 1910.178
<https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.178&ved=2ahUKEwjW2ted0saWAxXo6ckDHYicLR8Qy_kOegoIAggACAAIBBAG&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw3Rm_uqXqXzqaU9ec3dty7R&ust=1788120539367000>
. [1
<https://www.certifyme.net/osha-blog/complete-guide-to-osha-forklift-regulations/>
]
Training and Certification
-
- *Age Limit*: Operators must be at least 18 years old.
- *Certification*: Employers must provide formal classroom instruction,
practical hands-on training, and an evaluation.
- *Refresher Training*: Operators require re-evaluation and training at
least once every three years, or sooner after a workplace
accident or near
miss.[1
<https://www.forkliftacademy.com/osha-compliance-navigating-forklift-certification-requirements/>
, 2 <https://www.certifyme.net/forklift-certification-requirements/>,
3
<https://forkliftsafetytrainingflorida.com/osha-1910-178-forklift-requirements-explained/>
]
Daily Inspections
-
- Operators must check the forklift before each shift.
- Inspect tires, brakes, steering, controls, warning devices, and
hydraulic hoses.
- Report and fix any damage right away. [1
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yt16-EPp1A&t=14>, 2
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG2TTT5m5rs&t=164>, 3
<https://forkliftsafetytrainingflorida.com/osha-1910-178-forklift-requirements-explained/>
]
Safe Operation
-
- *Speed*: Drive at safe speeds and slow down on wet or slippery
floors.
- *Ramps*: Drive with the load facing uphill when going up or down a
ramp.
- *Visibility*: Keep forks low (4 to 6 inches off the ground) and travel
with the load trailing if your forward view is blocked.
- *Passengers*: No unauthorized riders are allowed on the forklift
A really important part of the law is the certification part: formal
documentation of training on the stated forklift topics and an observed
operational test. Another part is that employers should only allow trained
Persons to operate their forklifts.
I suspect Dallas College has no forklift training program at all for 7
campuses (in violation of federal law). Since there were no injuries during
this accident, there are only the equipment damages (considerable) to
contend with. If there had been a fatality, it would have been much, much
different.
If nothing else, I hope the school starts locking up the keys to all the
forklifts. That would go a long way to keep a person from just jumping on a
forklift and doing something stupid.
So, for any academics out there, ask about your school’s forklift
training program and training records. If your school is self-insured,
forklifts can lead to catastrophic expenses and the occasional death.
Joe
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Terry Lazaroff via Clayart
Terrance Frank Lazaroff, CD
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www.clayart.ca
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