From Training to Enforcement

Without question, lift truck safety is a critical concern for fleet owners and managers. Without proper systems in place, an operation is at high risk for accidents and potential damages to the facility, merchandise, equipment fleet and, worst of all, employees.

“Nearly 100 workers are killed and 20,000 are seriously injured in lift truck-related accidents each year,” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Ontario, 10,308 lift truck-related incidents occurred between 1996 and 2008, according to data collected by the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO).

Material handling applications have too much at stake to neglect lift truck safety. Seemingly small missteps can significantly impact a company’s bottom line.

Sometimes, reviewing safety procedures with employees is not enough. While formal meetings stressing the importance of safety are important, absolute compliance often demands a more effective approach.

Historical Perspective
In the 1920s, companies in North America and Canada were expanding, and by the 1930s, industries had developed a need for material handling. The lift truck became an essential device, and procedures to manage them progressed.

While lift trucks were beneficial to production requirements, they created significant safety hazards in many workplaces. Well into the 20th Century, the issue of safety emerged as a concern due to a combination of workers compensation laws, liability costs, news coverage and labor unions. In 1970, the United States established OSHA, and in 1978, Canada created the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) to ensure proper execution of safety procedures. Workers were taught to comply with safety regulations and maintain manual records of safety checklists.

However, as companies expanded and technologies evolved, manual data tracking gradually became obsolete. Paper-based reports were often misplaced or did not provide thorough documentation, creating crisis for companies asked to present complete records of safety compliance.

Since the establishment of safety administrations, incidents have decreased; however, businesses still struggle with safety compliance and penalties amounting to millions of dollars. For CEOs, CFOs, warehouse managers and lift truck operators, safety has found its way to the top of the priority list.

Current safety concerns include: workers being struck by falling objects, caught between or in parts of the vehicle, falling from elevated platforms, being struck by a lift truck and lift trucks colliding or overturning. Crushing and amputations are the most worrisome results.

Reviewing Standards
Industries must adhere to broad standards, including OSHA’s performance-based standard 1910.178 and CCOHS’ Z249.2-1970, both specific for powered industrial trucks. Compliance entails checking for oil leaks, worn tires and problems with hydraulic lines and brakes prior to operation.

In addition, every employee must be trained to operate the specific lift truck he or she was hired to use. These standards should be understood in their entirety so training can be structured to fulfill the safety criteria.

Lift truck regulations are critical to proper industrial functioning, yet it can be challenging to enforce compliance with employees. The problem could be lack of awareness or laziness; nevertheless, employers cannot be responsible for employee reasoning. They are responsible for their actions.