The powered industrial trucks (PIT) standard (29 CFR 1910.178)
is the most commonly cited standard throughout the material handling industries. Most fatalities occur when a worker is crushed by a
forklift that has overturned or fallen from a loading dock. The following is an overview of the regulations, training requirements,
and other resources:
PITs, or forklifts, are used in numerous work settings, primarily to
load and unload materials. Forklift overturns are the leading cause of
fatalities involving forklifts and they represent about 25% of all
forklift-related deaths. The case studies examined by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicate that the
forklift, the factory environment, and actions of the operator can all
contribute to fatal incidents involving forklifts. In addition, these
fatalities indicate that many employees and employers are not using or may
be unaware of safety procedures and the proper use of forklifts to reduce
the risk of injury and death.
Powered Industrial Trucks.
Final Rules 68:32637-32638, (2003, June 2). States that
29 CFR 1910.178(m)(12)
is unenforceable by OSHA. This technical amendment deletes a Powered Industrial Trucks Standard covering
the use of powered industrial trucks to lift personnel. It is being deleted
because it was invalidly promulgated from a non-mandatory provision of a
national consensus standard. Because it is unenforceable, OSHA is removing that
provision, 29 CFR 1910.178(m)(12), from the Powered Industrial Trucks Standard. Note
that OSHA is removing all of paragraph (m)(12), including its subordinate paragraphs (m)(12)(i) through (m)(12)(iii).
This amendment becomes effective July 2, 2003.
Host employers may require site-specific forklift training of visiting workers. (1999, October 28).
Indicates that employers are entitled to require that persons who
operate power pallet jacks at its worksite have a greater degree of
training than is required
by the regulation and that they be trained specifically in the equipment
and conditions at its worksite.
Cross-view back-up mirrors on delivery trucks. (1997, January 24).
Indicates that OSHA has no specific regulations requiring
the installation of "cross-view" mirrors on delivery vehicles.
Use of seat belts on powered industrial trucks. (1996, March 7). Indicates that OSHA recognizes the hazard of powered
industrial truck tipover and the need for the use of an operator
restraint system under the General Duty Clause.
29 CFR 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks.
Includes specific training requirements for
forklift operators who load and unload trucks.
Host employers may require site-specific forklift training of visiting workers.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1999, October 28).
Indicates that employers are entitled to require that persons who
operate power pallet jacks at its worksite have a greater degree of
training than is required
by the regulation and that they be trained specifically in the equipment
and conditions at its worksite.
Material Handling and Storage. OSHA Publication
2236. (2002), 559 KB
PDF, 41 pages.
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science,
Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing OSHA
PDF materials.
Baggage Handling. OSHA eTool. Describes many of the common hazards
associated with the baggage handling process and provides possible
solutions that are ranked according to their feasibility to the
operations.
Construction: Preventing Fatalities. OSHA eTool. Contains
information that helps workers identify and control the hazards that
cause the most serious construction-related injuries. A
Spanish translation of this eTool is also available.
Grocery Warehousing
Grocery Warehousing. OSHA eTool. Describes example ergonomic hazards
and solutions related to Order Picking, which accounts for a large
number of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Logging
Logging. OSHA eTool. Provide expert assistance for businesses and
workers seeking to comply with OSHA's logging standard. Logging
procedures are examined, OSHA regulations explained, and links are
provided to the specific sections of the standard. This is also
available as a
downloadable file.
Maritime
Shipyard Employment: Ship Repair. OSHA eTool. Addresses the entire
1915 regulation as it pertains to Ship Repair which includes activities
such as altering, converting, installing, cleaning, painting, and
maintaining vessels.
Longshoring Industry. OSHA Publication 2232, (2001), 480 KB PDF, 291 pages.
Contains all the safety and health standards concerning the marine terminal and longshoring
industries, as contained in 29 CFR 1917 and 29 CFR 1918), as of June 30, 2000.
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science,
Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing OSHA
PDF materials.
Poultry Processing Industry. OSHA eTool. Focuses on identifying and
controlling major hazards that contributed to the high rates of injuries
found in a recent OSHA Survey of the industry. Other serious hazards are
also discussed. Examples used in this advisor are from the processing of
chickens, but may be applicable to other bird processing.
