May 2017 IVES Update Newsletter

In this edition we'll be covering the following topics:

• Complacency at Its Best.
• The Dog Ate My Homework!!
• Menards Worker Killed in Forklift Accident.
• Ask Bob: Our tech guru addresses a question on forklift three points of contact rule.
• Safety Quote byDr. David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA.
• An incident report on a fatal forklift accident.
• Last chance to register!
• What's Wrong With This? Photo and answer.
• A selection of interesting articles.
• New testimonials from our wonderful clients.

 But first, check out all the places we delivered training this month...

Complacency at Its Best

This last October, I attended a memorial service for an outstanding friend and fishing buddy. It is sad to say but it was a good ending for my dear friend who suffered immensely for the last few years. During the ceremony, I noticed that a family member of the deceased had quite a limp with his left foot. I figured it was some sort of a sprain and left it at that. A little later, I attended the celebration of life potluck meal at his daughters’ house following the memorial service. I did not know any of his family so I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet his immediate family and non-fishing friends.

While meandering around and sharing stories of my friend, I ran into the limping man. He was fairly young, I'd have to guess mid 20's. After some small chat, I just had to ask him what happened to his foot/ankle. It didn't appear too serious because he had on his shoe. He lifted his pant leg and showed me his foot from the ankle area down, it was black. His reply was "the foot is dead and I am waiting for the doctor to schedule the removal of my foot”.

I was flabbergasted and as soon as I picked up my jaw, I just had to ask how this happened. He explained to me that while working in a warehouse, a forklift had backed over his foot. I did not feel comfortable asking for any more details and wished him the best in recovery. But I am pretty sure I know the rest of the story.
 
Many operators/trainees have stated, and even complained, that I am a stickler for having them operate by the book and especially "looking behind before any movement in reverse”. Over the years I have read about numerous incidents involving such accidents and now have second hand experience of one.
 
Many forklifts now come with mirrors to assist the operator as they move around and some companies have even added the blue light to their forklifts (this projects a blue light about 10' behind the forklift when it goes in reverse). But it still falls on the operator to look in their direction of travel. We must stay vigilant on training operators to look before moving and continue looking as they travel in reverse if we are to make a difference.
 
This is a story I can share with all my trainees, and who knows, maybe I can save a foot in the end.

Nick Armer
Certified Master Trainer
IVES Training Group

The Dog Ate My Homework!!

A soon to be IVES Certified Trainer contacted us recently requesting another copy of his pre-course manual. Apparently, his mischievous pup Odin had tried to help him with his assignment and got a little carried away!

Menards Worker Killed in Forklift Accident

BURNSVILLE, Minn. (KARE) A Menards worker was killed Saturday in what the Hennepin County Medical Examiner is calling a "forklift mishap" while working at the Burnsville store.

Authorities say the incident happened around 8:56 a.m. Friday at the Menards at 2700 E. Hwy. 13. The man was identified by the medical examiner's office as 27-year-old Alec Saunders on Tuesday.

According to officials, Saunders died of blunt force chest injuries.

Witnesses say the worker was trying to move two-by-fours when the forklift started to flip over. They say he tried to jump off the equipment and that's when it landed on top of him.

Source: www.valleynewslive.com

Ask Bob

Q. If a forklift does not have a grab handle on the overhead guard, what should be used to fulfil the three points of contact rule? Is it acceptable to use the upright of the overhead guard?

A. Very good question as how to do a 3-point mount is not always clearly explained. Have you checked your manufacturer operators manual (MOM)? I would check this first. The manufacturer may list the best suggested grab points. If they do not, then I leave it up to you to make the call as to the safest way to maintain three points of contact. I usually grab the overhead guard stanchion (upright portion) or the steering wheel if there is no grab handle on the stanchion with the left hand and then the seat or seat hand rail with the right hand. The potential issue with grabbing the steering wheel is that it could move, therefore it may not be the best item to grab in some cases. I have had 6'8" tall operators that grab the top of the overhead guard with both hands to get in and maintain 3 points of contact. In the end, our only concern is, can they get on and off safely to support their body? Check with "MOM" and then decide what's best.

Safety Quote

Making a living shouldn't have to cost you your life. Workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are preventable. Safe jobs happen because employers make the choice to fulfill their responsibilities and protect their workers.

Source: Dr. David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health

Cal/OSHA Cites Building Supply Company for Fatal Forklift Accident

News Release No.: 2017-27 Date: April 17, 2017

San Francisco—Cal/OSHA today cited Good View Roofing & Building Supply Corporation $62,320 for multiple serious accident-related safety violations following an investigation of a fatal forklift accident in San Francisco.

On November 21, 2016, a 60-year-old forklift operator was transferring building supplies from the company’s warehouse to a customer’s vehicle. When the forklift descended a sloped ramp, a bag of mortar mix fell off of the load and blocked the front right wheel. The operator reversed the forklift to free the bag of mortar and while doing so, turned the steering wheel so that the back wheel went over the edge of the ramp, tipping the five-ton forklift over. The worker attempted to jump out of the cab and was fatally crushed by the forklift.

“This incident could have been prevented had the employer effectively evaluated the workplace for hazards, which would have identified the unguarded edge of the ramp that exposed the forklift to tipping,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “The worker should have been properly trained to stay seated with the seatbelt fastened in the event of a tip over.”

The six violations cited in Cal/OSHA’s investigation included three classified as serious accident-related, one serious, one regulatory and one general. The serious accident-related violations were cited for the company’s failure to ensure:

• the proper use of a forklift seatbelt,
• the forklift operator is certified to operate the vehicle safely, and
• that industrial ramps have at least an 8-inch curb or equivalent installed along the open edges to prevent the wheels of industrial trucks from running off the ramp.

The serious violation was cited for the employer’s failure to inspect and identify hazards in the workplace, provide written safety instruction on industrial trucks in a language readily understandable by all of the workers, and for failure to ensure that all affected workers comply with the forklift safety requirements at the worksite. A serious violation is cited when there is a realistic possibility that death or serious harm could result from the actual hazardous condition.

Source: www.dir.ca.gov

Last Chance Programs

We have lots of upcoming programs to choose from, but seats are limited. Click a link for more details and to register online!
 

What's Wrong With This? Photo

Can you tell what's going wrong in this photo?

Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!

Answer to Last Month's WWWT? Photo

• Using scissor lifts to support a work platform is not what they are deigned to do.
• Using the guardrails of the unit on the right to support the load of the platform, personnel and tool/materials is also a definite no-no.
• It appears as though both units have seen better days judging by the poor condition of their guard rails.
• Instead of a platform, it might be a ladder they are using to support themselves and their materials – another misuse of a piece of equipment that is not designed for the application.
• The workers on the platform are working at height without the use of a fall protection system – personal or otherwise.
• They appear to have gone through the bother of putting up barricades but unfortunately left gaping holes in the area they are supposed to separate pedestrians and/or other traffic from.

Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!

Interesting Articles

Man dies after being run over by a forklift...more
VIDEO: Thieves fail in attempt to steal ATM with rough terrain forklift...more
Worker fatality due to excavator accident leads to $301,000 in fines...more
VIDEO: Malaysian dies in workplace accident...more
An amusement park to drive and play with heavy machinery...more
Excavator caused explosion resulting in $17.2 million in damage and losses...more
Fed-OSHA resumes announcing health/safety violators after 3 month pause...more
Train collides with excavator...more

Client Testimonials

"Worthwhile effective training." Rob, Brenntag.

"I truly appreciated this program. Makes me feel all other similar programs I have been part of were totally inadequate." Michael, Hexcel Corp.

"This program is a solid foundation for teaching and learning." David, Sacramento Food Co-op.

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up for our newsletter to receive more like this!