1. Powered industrial Trucks (GI-Part 21)
By: Hunter Glazewski

2. What exactly is a Powered industrial truck (pit) ?
A powered industrial truck is “a mobile, power- driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material.

3. Basic Layout of A Power industrial Truck (Forklift)
Counter Weight
**All PITs are equipped with horns, which must be used when visibility is limited or while turning corners**

4. Why proper training and safety is so important….
Why proper training and safety is so important….

5. Employee Training
Employers are responsible making sure employees are trained and that they are competent enough to carry out this type of work
MIOSHA training specifics
Capacity of equipment and attachments
Purpose, use, and limitations of PIT(s)
Steering and controls
How to perform daily checks/inspections
Practice, practice, practice
Knowledge associated with exhaust fumes (Carbon monoxide, diesel)
Hazards involving the battery and its electrolytes
*Employees must go through both a formal type education process (lecture) and practice drills*

6. Miosha: Operator Permits
An employee still in training does not need a permit to learn how to operate (period of 30 days maximum)
Employees in training must be closely supervised
Permits shall be carried by the operator while working and available upon request.
Permit indicates what type of PIT the operator knows how to operate
Operators who are handicapped or have inabilities, may still operate PITs if their condition shows not to be detrimental to their ability to operate the PIT safely
*Operator permits last for 3 years*

7. Osha’s permit certification
There are slight differences when it comes to getting certified to operate a PIT from the OSHA perspective
OSHA does not require more specific information when licensing PIT operators.
The certification needs to include…
The operators name
The date of the training
The date of the evaluation
The identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation

8. An operator’s permit must include…
Firm name
Operator name
Operator I.D. number (if any)
Name of person who issued permit
Type of truck authorized to use
Any restrictions
Issue and Expiration date
Picture taken right from the LARA website

9. Employers must Provide ‘refreshers’ if the operator…
Is observed doing any unsafe behavior while operating a PIT
Has been in either an accident or a close call
Got a bad evaluation
The condition of the workplace changed (pallets making aisles more narrow, more people around, or just a faster pace)
*Evaluations must be given before an operator can renew his/her Operating Permit*

10. Modifications
The OSHA standard states that the employer is not allowed to make any modifications that may affect the capacity or safety without written approval from the manufacturer.
The MIOSHA standard follows the same principles, but allows the employer to consult a knowledgeable engineer as well, not needing the manufacturers permission.
Any attachments on the truck (including front end attachments) must be tagged with instruction plates, name plates, approx. weight of attachment + truck
Also each truck must show the load capacity + max height of load from a lateral perspective.

11. Overhead Guards

12. MIOSHA: Weight limits and rules for overhead guards
Truck capacity (pounds)
Static Test Load as a% of Truck capacity Rating
Through 5,000
200% of truck rating
Over 5,000 up to 10,000
10,000 pounds
plus 100% of increment rating over 5,000 pounds
Over 10,000 up to 20,000
15,000 pounds
plus 50% increment rating over 10,000 pounds

13. Specific rules for overhead Guards (MIOSHA)
The overhead guard must be able to withstand the impacts of a 100 pound block of wood or something similar dropped 10 times form a distance of 5 feet without failure or an indent of ¾ inch.
Must not block visual field
No openings on guard more than 6 inches in one of two dimensions (width or length).
At least 39 inches from the seat to the guard
If it is a stand-up PIT, there must be at least 74 inches from the platform to the guard

14. JUST REMEMBER.. ***Overhead guards are not made to prevent the damage of a falling “full capacity” load.***

15. Maintenance & Repairs A PIT may not be used if… MIOSHA OSHA
-Breaks do not work as they are intended to
-Leaking fuel system
-if a load pulls down on forks 5inches in 5 minutes
-If the lift tilts 2 degrees downward in 5 minutes
-Turning isn’t sensitive enough
-Hydraulic system leakage
Indicates if it is not safe to use, it must be removed.
-OSHA does not give examples of what counts as a hazardous breakdown
-No repairs made in Class I, II, or III areas
Repairs to a fuel and ignition system that involves fire hazards must be performed in a designated area.
-Certain areas on the PIT are not to be altered from their original positions from the manufacturer
-No repairs in hazardous areas involving..
- flammable gases or vapors
- combustible dust
- ignitable fibers
-PITs should be examined before and after every workshift.

16. Taking a safe path OSHA insists that.. The operator keeps a clear view
MIOSHA states that before moving or stacking anything, the operator must…
Analyze the desired path
Make sure there are no obstructions
Spot any low hanging lights, pipes, outward facing pallets, etc.
Keep a safe distance from ramps and loading docks
OSHA insists that..
The operator keeps a clear view
Look in the direction of travel
Continued on next slide

17. MIOSHA is much more specific with standards and rules
MIOSHA goes much more in depth with rules.
They require PIT operators to evaluate their surroundings before working, making it much safer for the operator and everyone working around the operator
They give many examples of what to look for if a PIT is out of commission
MIOSHA requires more information on an operators permit
MIOSHA also allows a little more efficiency by allowing knowledgeable engineers repair PITs.
**Since MIOSHA has many more of these specifics involved with their rules, there should be less accidents, tips, and mishaps.

18. THAnk you