Masonry Magazine December 1999 Page. 43
OSHA
ALERT
December 1, 1999
Remember This Date...
Why? Because OSHA's Training Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks, which became effective March 1, 1999, set standards for training and evaluation of operators on all operators who were hired before Dec. 1, 1999. These employees must exhibit proof of training. All new operators who are hired after Dec. 1, 1999, must complete the training and evaluation requirements before the employee is assigned to operate a forklift.
Are you ready? OSHA estimates that the construction industry has roughly 82,000 powered industrial trucks with the masonry sector having a sizeable amount of this total. After a 10-year study OSHA completely revised its old standards for industrial trucks which were adopted in 1971.
You say you don't have a powered industrial truck. Well look again, for the term "powered industrial trucks" has seven different classes and class 7 covers Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (Pneumatic Tires).
The Training Program shall include formal instructional training such as lectures, training discussions, and videotape, written material and practical exercises performed by the trainee. There must also be an evaluation of the operator's performance in the work place.
The standard also states that sufficient evaluation and refresher training must be conducted to enable the employee to retain and use the knowledge and skills needed to operate the forklift safely. However, an evaluation of each operator's performance must be conducted at least every three years. If the operator is involved in an accident; near miss incident; or they have been observed operating the forklift in an unsafe manner or there are changes in the equipment and workplace, a Refresher Course is required regardless of the three-year period.
All this is covered in OSHA's forklift training standards 29 CFR 1910.178 (1) which were published in the Federal Register Dec. 1, 1998.
Anticipating these new mandatory training standards, MCAA produced a Rough Terrain Forklift Safety and Maintenance Training Manual. This "self learning" manual comprised of six sections covers: introduction; instructions for completing the manual plus you the operator, the forklift; the conditions; the load and safety through inspection and maintenance.
A written test along with an Instructor's Guide completes Part 1. To facilitate the learning process of the trainee, MCAA produced a 42-minute video, which graphically illustrates the manual.
With the completion of Part 1, the Trainee receives a card, which verifies that they have successfully completed the pre-scribed requirements. In addition, the Administrator of the course has a record card for their file.
To complete the course and to meet all the requirements of the new training standards, Part 2, the "Hands On" test, was developed late in 1998. It is an eight-section test designed to give the Administrator a guide to evaluate the skills of the Trainee.
OSHA in its evaluation of the MCAA Course stated: "The training package you submitted combines text book training with 'hands on' skills. All of the topics contained in OSHA's current Powdered Industrial Truck Operator training' standard are addressed by this program."
You can purchase the MCAA Rough Terrain Forklift Course by calling 800-536-2225 or you can write to the MCAA at 1910 South Highland Ave. Suite 101 Lombard, IL 60148.
Refresher Course
The new OSHA standard requires employers to conduct an evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance every three (3) years to ensure the employee has retained and continues to use the knowledge and skills necessary for safe operation. The evaluation does not have to be formal. For example, an evaluation could be as simple as having a person with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience observe the operator performing several typical operations to ensure the operator is operating the equipment safely and by asking the operator questions related to the safe operation of the equipment.
Equipment Covered by the Standard
Most powered material handling equipment on a masonry project are covered by these standards. Rough Terrain Forklifts, Prime Mover type walk behind lifts, Georgia Buggies, pallet jacks, etc. fall within the seven classes.
The seven classes of powered industrial trucks are:
Class 1, Electric Motor, Sit-down Rider, Counter-Balanced Trucks (Solid and Pneumatic Tires)
Class 2, Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks (Solid Tires)
Class 3, Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks (Solid Tires)
Class 4, Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Solid Tires)
Class 5, Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires)
Class 6, Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors (Solid and Pnuematic Tires)
Class 7, Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (Pneumatic Tires)
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1999 43