An accident
in a warehouse can injure you or your co-workers, damage equipment,
and ruin cargo. It is a potential for a multiple loss. The most common
warehouse accidents involve forklifts and manual material handling.
The forklift is one of the most important mechanical devices you have.
It can also be one of the most dangerous if not properly used. Statistics
show that forklifts are involved in only about 1% of lost time accidents,
yet they account for about 10% of the serious injuries. Some of those
injuries occur when:
• A forklift strikes a pedestrian.
• A load falls on a pedestrian or the driver.
• A forklift falls between a trailer and dock or off a truck.
• A forklift turns over.
The key to forklift safety is your skill in operating the equipment,
your ability to anticipate hazards in the warehouse and your concentration
regarding the task at hand.
You can prevent traffic incidents while operating the forklift, by using
the same safe practices that apply to traffic driving. Observe the rules
regarding speed, maneuvering, and loading and unloading. Keep your arms
and legs inside the guard and wear your seatbelt. The seatbelt will
keep you inside the forklift in the event it tips over. Odds are you
won't be able to jump clear! Unfortunately too many people have tried…unsuccessfully.
The dock plate is all that is between you and an accident when transferring
cargo between a trailer and the dock. Damaged plates should not be used.
Check for cracks or if curbs are missing or broken, report it. Makeshift
plates should not be used, not even for a one-time job. Make sure the
plate is properly anchored in place before loading or unloading.
The trailer can also contribute to an accident. The impact of lift trucks
moving in and out can cause the trailer to inch away from the dock.
Trailers should be chocked and frequently checked to insure they have
not shifted. When the trailer is parked, jacks should be placed to prevent
the trailer from tipping over.
As a pedestrian in the warehouse, stay clear of moving loads. When palletized
cargo is being picked up, it can topple. Be alert. The rear of a forklift
swings wide, since the steering axle is in the rear. So stay clear,
and give the equipment plenty of room to maneuver.
Before you attempt to lift, move or shift heavy items in the cramped
confines of a trailer, assess the situation. Do you need assistance
from one of your co-workers, or do you need mechanical assistance from
a forklift? Without assistance, you may injure your back or damage the
cargo.
Warehouse
accidents cause injuries, damage equipment, and ruin cargo. It has a
great potential for creating multiple losses. The most common warehouse
accidents involve forklifts and manual material handling.
The forklift is one of the most important pieces of mechanical equipment
in the shipyard. It can also be one of the most dangerous if not properly
used. Statistics show that forklifts are involved in only about 1% of
lost time accidents, yet they account for about 10% of the serious injuries.
Some of those injuries occur when:
• A forklift strikes a pedestrian.
• A load falls on a pedestrian or the driver.
• A forklift falls between a trailer and dock or off a truck.
• A forklift turns over.
Forklift
safety can be measured by the skill in operating the equipment, the
ability to anticipate hazards in the warehouse and the concentration
regarding the task at hand.
Prevent traffic incidents while operating the forklift, by using the
same safe practices that apply to driving any vehicle. Observe the rules
regarding speed, maneuvering, and loading and unloading. Keep your arms
and legs inside the guard and wear the seatbelt. The seatbelt will keep
the operator inside the forklift in the event of a rollover.
The dock plate is all that is between you and an accident when transferring
cargo between a trailer and the dock. Damaged plates should not be used.
Check for cracks or if curbs are missing or broken, report it. Makeshift
plates should not be used, not even for a one-time job. Make sure the
plate is properly anchored in place before loading or unloading.
The trailer can also contribute to an accident. The impact of lift trucks
moving in and out can cause the trailer to inch away from the dock.
Trailers should be chocked and frequently checked to insure they have
not shifted. When the trailer is parked, jacks should be placed to prevent
the trailer from tipping over.
As a pedestrian in the warehouse, stay clear of moving loads. When palletized
cargo is being picked up, it can topple. The rear of a forklift swings
wide, since the steering axle is in the rear. So stay clear, and give
the equipment plenty of room to maneuver.
Before a lift, move or shift heavy items in the cramped confines of
a trailer, assess the situation carefully with respect to shifting weight.
TRAINING:
Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck
(except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each
operator has successfully completed the necessary training required.
The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator
is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated
by the successful completion of the training and evaluation.
Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g.,
lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written
material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer
and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of
the operator's performance in the workplace.
All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who
have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial
truck operators and evaluate their competence.
Training Program Content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive
initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the
employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the
truck in the employer's workplace.
Truck-related topics:
> Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types
of truck the operator will be authorized to operate;
> Differences between the truck and the automobile;
> Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what
they do, and how they work;
> Engine or motor operation;
> Steering and maneuvering;
> Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);
> Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations;
> Vehicle capacity;
> Vehicle stability;
> Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be
required to perform;
> Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries;
> Operating limitations;
> Any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed
in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee
is being trained to operate.
Workplace-related
topics:
> Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated;
> Composition of loads to be carried and load stability;
> Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking;
> Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated;
> Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will
be operated;
> Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated;
> Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's
stability;
> Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation
or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide
or diesel exhaust;
> Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions
in the workplace that could affect safe operation.
> The requirements of this standard.
References:
Compliance
Standards
General
Industry
> [1910.176],
Handling materials - general. Contains requirements for use of mechanical
equipment, materials storage, load clearances, etc.
> [1910.178],
Powered industrial trucks.
Shipyard
Employment
> [Part
1915], Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment
> [1915.120],
Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training
Marine
Terminal
> [Part
1917], Marine Terminals
Longshoring
> [Part
1918], Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring
> [1918.25],
Bridge plates and ramps (See also 1918.86).
> [1918.65],
Mechanically-powered vehicles used aboard vessels.
> [1918.67],
Notifying the ship's officers before using certain equipment.
> [1918.83],
Stowed cargo; tiering and breaking down.
> [1918.85],
Containerized cargo operations.
> [1918.86],
Roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations
> [1918.89],
Handling hazardous cargo.
Construction
> [1926.602],
Material handling equipment. Includes requirements for powered industrial
trucks.
NIOSH:
Preventing Injuries
and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts
Training
Roster
