This Winter 2002 IVES Update Newsletter edition covers IVES at National Safety Council’s Congress & Expo, a question on instructor credentials, what happens when workers use forklifts as ladders, accident reports and more!
National Safety Council’s 90th Congress and Expo
The National Safety Council’s 90th Annual Congress and Expo in San Diego, California was a complete success. The show took place October 4 – 9, 2002 and drew over 13,000 attendees from all walks of business and industry. In addition to viewing the many impressive vendor displays, those in attendance also had the opportunity to take in the educational sessions, as well as see and hear such distinguished speakers as OSHA Chief, John Henshaw.
When asked about the NSC Show, Rob had these comments:
“There’s a real varied cross-section of people who come to these large events. We had current clients come by, OSHA representatives, people involved in safety and training from all areas of industry, and some folks were just curious about what we do. The model forklifts and other equipment models that we had on display really drew a crowd.
I was very pleased with the recognition and positive feedback that we received, especially from a small group of attendees that came up from Mexico. They told us they had come to the NSC show specifically looking for Ives, because they had heard we were the best. I told them that the information they had received was correct!”
Rob Vetter (above) also delivered an educational seminar entitled, “Heavy Equipment Training: An Investment Opportunity.” This educational session detailed the financial benefits realized by companies who properly deliver, and maintain, effective equipment operator training programs. The message of this session was clear: accidents can cost money. If an accident is the result of either non-existent or inadequate training, a company can be faced with astronomically high out-of-pocket expenses. Bottom line: proper ongoing training goes a long way toward enhancing profitability.
If you have never had the opportunity to attend an NSC show, you really should do yourself a favor and plan to take one in sometime soon. For those of you involved with safety on any level, you will be amazed at the resources offered at a show. There is something for everyone: from exhibits to lectures and workshops, as well as the chance to network with the thousands of other safety-oriented people just like you.
All in all, the NSC Congress and Expo 2002 was a great success for Ives. New interests were kindled, old friendships were strengthened, and we got to participate in a truly remarkable event.
We hope to see you at the next one!
Ask Bob
Dear Bob,
I have completed my instructor training at the company I work for and the company will be shutting down temporarily. I would like to train people at other facilities as a small business venture. Can this be accomplished? Can I still purchase training material through Ives training and certify operators? Do I need the company’s blessing for this?
Thanks,
Eric
Dear Eric,
Yes, you may perform training outside of your existing company and still purchase Ives training materials. Remember, it never hurts to ask for the company’s blessing in regards to doing any kind of outside training.
You can do training outside of your parent company as long as you are willing to accept the liabilities that go with it. When you conduct training on behalf of your employer, you are acting as an agent on their behalf and, therefore, you are covered under their liability insurance. Once you step out from under the company’s insurance umbrella, you alone are accepting full responsibility in regards to any issues pertaining to liability.
Companies that offer safety training to the general public must take the necessary steps to safeguard against any and all issues pertaining to liability. They usually do so by taking out liability insurance and by having their clients sign waiver forms. It is very important to be cognizant of any and all issues pertaining to liability.
Hope that helps,
Bob
Dear Bob,
If a person has received forklift training and then is moved to another department what are the requirements? Do they have to be retrained or is the existing certification still good?
Thanks,
Scott
Dear Scott,
The training must be “equipment and site specific.” If an individual is trained at one location and then moves to another location, that individual must then receive additional training focusing on any differences between the two environments and equipment and then be re-evaluated.
I am going under the assumption that the forklift he/she will be operating is the same as the one they were originally certified on, so the “upgrade” training should focus primarily on bringing the operator up to speed on any and all environmental differences between the two environments, as well as the tasks that are to be carried out within that new environment, rather than on the machine itself.
Hope that helps,
Bob
Dear Bob,
I have a question regarding driving an electrical sit-down counterbalance forklift on a public road. Our campus is surrounded by a round loop (infinite loop) of public road. Is there a regulation where you can or cannot drive a forklift on a public road?
Regards,
Michael
Dear Michael,
Operation of a forklift on public roads is acceptable, as long as you are complying with the same laws that govern any other motorized vehicle that operates on a public road. The lift truck will have to be licensed in order to be legally operated on a public road and the operator will need to hold a valid driver’s license, as well.
I hope that helps,
Bob
Home Study Program (Correspondence Program)
This is to officially announce that Ives will no longer be offering instructor certification through a home study program (also known as the Ives Correspondence Program). We will continue to work with those students that have begun the program and will see those individuals through to the completion of the program. Thank you.
Forklift Madness: What Happens When Workers Use Forklifts As Ladders
This was going to be hard to explain, thought the safety supervisor as she sat in the safety director’s office.
A worker had broken his leg after falling off the front of a forklift. The lift had been elevated about ten feet; the worker stood on an unsecured pallet on the forks.
“I showed them where the ladders are,” the supervisor said to the safety director, “ and
told them to use them.”
“So why didn’t they do what they were supposed to?” asked the safety director.
“I guess the workers didn’t want to take the time to get a ladder,” said the supervisor.
“They took a shortcut – a dumb shortcut.”
“Well, at least we agree on one thing,” said the safety director. “Using the front of a forklift as a ladder is pretty dumb.”
“No doubt,” replied the supervisor. “Besides, if they have to use the forklift, they know to secure the pallet and put up guide rails.”
“Even then it is not a great idea,” said the safety director. “So why did your people think it was okay? Did they ever do that before?
“Not that I know of.” replied the safety supervisor.
“And did you remind them recently to only use ladders, as we require?” asked the director of safety. “Because there is going to be an investigation and possibly a fine as a result of this injury.”
The safety supervisor swallowed. “I don’t remember the last time I told them about forklift and ladder safety. But these guys know not to use a lift that way.”
Sure enough, the company was cited for exposing their workers to hazardous conditions. The company appealed, saying the workers ignored safety precautions.
Decision: The review commission upheld the citation, and the company had to pay $3,000. The review commission said the supervisor assumed too much. Workers needed warnings against using forklifts as scaffolding. Plus, there was no evidence safety procedures were being enforced.
Key: Many workers get hurt or killed misusing forklifts. Remind them to stay off the front of them.
What You Need to Know: Workers may try to use forklifts to take shortcuts and, as you know, that’s a surefire recipe for disaster. Remind your people:
-
- Only qualified, trained personnel are allowed to operate forklifts.
- Not to use forklifts as ladders or cherry pickers unless the necessary safety procedures are in place.
- Not to let anyone ride on the fork prongs of the lift truck for any reason.
Source: Supervisors Safety Bulletin (ISSN 1528-9834) published by Progressive Business Publications.
Accident Report
Improper Forklift Training Contributes to Injuries
A New Jersey company’s failure to train employees on the safe operation of forklifts contributed to serious injuries suffered by an employee and prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to cite the firm. A worker sustained severe lacerations and chemical exposure after falling from a forklift into a 2,000-gallon chemical mixing kettle. He was being lifted on a pallet by the forklift at the time of the accident. It was found that the worker would not have had to suffer such a serious injury had the employer followed the proper training procedures for forklift operations. OSHA’s training standards for forklifts and other powered industrial trucks were revised to help reduce accidents like this. The company was issued a willful violation for failure to train workers in the proper operation of forklifts. The company is now facing fines in excess of $100,000.
OSHA Regional News Release
Fireman Killed by Flying Forklift Rim
A firefighter lost his life after being struck by an exploding forklift rim while fighting a fire at a container park. The firefighter was found unconscious and taken to hospital after he was hit, but unfortunately, he died the next day. The fire started in the engine of a forklift, causing a tire to explode and sending a split rim wheel housing over 30 yards across the container park, ricocheting off a container and through the open door of a fire truck, hitting the firefighter in the head and legs.
The fire began while the forklift, a 40,000 lb.-capacity container handler, was stacking containers when a hydraulic hose ruptured, spraying oil onto the forklift’s engine, which then burst into flames.
The machine operator jumped from the cab, breaking an arm and a leg. He was taken to hospital and is now in stable condition. Four containers caught fire, and their contents were still smoldering late the next day.
Forklift Action Materials Handling
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