January 19, 2004—Protecting workers from hazards associated with powered industrial trucks is the goal of an alliance signed recently by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Injuries associated with the operation of powered industrial trucks such as forklifts are often attributed to a lack of safe operating procedures and safety-rule enforcement, plus insufficient training. The alliance will encourage and promote the training of operators based on the OSHA’s operator training standard. OSHA and ITA will also develop electronic assistance tools on the safe use and operation of the trucks. ITA members manufacture lift trucks and their supplies, as well as tow tractors, rough terrain vehicles, hand-pallet trucks, and automated guided vehicles.
