National Forklift Safety Day 2016 fulfills its educational mission

On June 14, members of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), which represents lift truck manufacturers and suppliers of associated parts and accessories, sponsored the third annual National Forklift Safety Day in Washington, D.C. The event provides an opportunity for the industry to educate customers, policymakers, and government officials about the safe use of forklifts and the importance of proper operator training.

The program featured speakers on a range of safety-related topics. Among the highlights:

• ITA officials announced that the group has extended its longstanding "National Alliance" safety partnership with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for an additional five years. As part of that arrangement, ITA provides forklift safety-related training for OSHA inspectors who investigate workplace accidents and violations, and advises the agency on workplace safety materials and communication. ITA also noted that OSHA is expected to issue a Request for Information (RFI) regarding updates to the agency's Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) safety standard later this year.
• Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), who chairs the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, said he advocates safety regulations that are effective but do not prevent business success or harm competitiveness. Walber also said he opposes an OSHA proposal to publish companies' OSHA-reportable records of injuries and safety violations.
• Jordan Barab, OSHA's deputy assistant secretary, responded to Rep. Walberg's comment, saying that publishing information about accidents and violations is an effective tool for getting companies to improve their safety records. Barab said the maximum penalties assessed by the agency for violations would rise, effective August 1. The increase is the first since 1990. (Details at https://www.osha.gov/penalties.html.) Barab added that OSHA has been paying attention to the use of temporary workers in warehouses, and in some cases has issued citations to both temp agencies and the host companies.
• Dr. Wesley Scott, consulting services director for the nonprofit National Safety Council, said research has shown that every $1 invested in workplace safety generates an return on investment of between $3 and $6. He also explained why the effectiveness of some safety programs decline over time, and outlined the many industrial-safety services and programs that NSC offers.

Following the presentations, a number of attendees headed to Capitol Hill for meetings with representatives, senators, and congressional staffers on forklift safety and international trade issues. ITA said it hopes National Forklift Safety Day will provide greater awareness of safe practices as well as encourage safer behavior in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and other environments where forklifts are in use.