This month’s focus
Semi-annual Reports for Air Emissions Inventory (AEI) Reporting - The deadline for AEI reporting for Title V Major and Minor Source facilities varies by state and possibly your individual permit. However, if your permit requires semi-annual reporting, those reports are typically due by Jan. 31 and Jul. 31. If you haven’t read this article yet, I recommend it because EPA is getting very serious about permit violators (EPA unleashes its cops to target these 10 trouble spots).
If you’re looking for the easiest way to track your air permit click here.
Storm Water Runoff Visual or Analytical Monitoring – Start watching for rain! This is a reminder that your visual or analytical quarterly monitoring needs to be completed by September 30th. We know that some of you are required to monitor monthly, however, we will not be reminding you monthly because I’m sure that you have it on your calendar… right?
Forklift Basics - A forklift (also called a lift truck, a high/low, a stacker-truck, trailer loader, side-loader, fork truck, tow-motor or a fork hoist) is a powered industrial truckused to lift and transportmaterials.Forklifts are rated for loads at a specified maximum weight and a specified forward center of gravity. This information is located on a nameplate provided by the manufacturer, and loads must not exceed these specifications. In many jurisdictions it is illegal to remove or tamper with the nameplate without the permission of the forklift manufacturer.
An important aspect of forklift operation is that most have rear-wheel steering. While this increases maneuverability in tight cornering situations, it differs from a driver’s traditional experience with other wheeled vehicles. While steering, as there is no casteraction, it is unnecessary to apply steering force to maintain a constant rate of turn.
Another critical characteristic of the forklift is its instability. The forklift and load must be considered a unit with a continually varying centre of gravity with every movement of the load. A forklift must never negotiate a turn at speed with a raised load, where centrifugal and gravitationalforces may combine to cause a disastrous tip-over accident. The forklift are designed with a load limit for the forks which is decreased with fork elevation and undercutting of the load (i.e. load does not butt against the fork "L"). A loading plate for loading reference is usually located on the forklift. A forklift should not be used as a personnel lift without the fitting of specific safety equipment, such as a "cherry picker" or "cage".
Forklift Program - Although not required to be in writing per OSHA, things that should be included in a forklift programs are:
SCOPE - Who does this program apply to
RESPONSIBILITIES – Details of the responsibilities for those administering the program and for those who fall under the program.
GENERAL VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS - All powered industrial trucks acquired and used after February 15, 1972 are required to meet the design and construction requirements for powered industrial trucks established in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks, Part II, ANSI B56.1, except for vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling. Approved trucks are required to bear a label or some other identifying mark indicating approval by the testing laboratory.
- Nameplates and markings must be in place, must not be covered over with paint which may obscure the identification information, and the nameplates must be maintained in a legible condition.
- Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation without the manufacturer's prior written approval are prohibited. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals should be modified accordingly.
- Power-operated industrial trucks are not to be used in atmospheres containing hazardous concentrations of dust or where flammable gases or vapors are, or may be, present in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
- High lift rider trucks must be equipped with an overhead guard, unless operating conditions do not permit the use of the guard. The overhead guard is intended to offer protection from the impact of small packages, boxes, bagged material, etc., but not to withstand the impact of a falling capacity load.
FORKLIFT OPERATOR TRAINING AND EVALUATIONS - Each powered industrial truck operator must be determined to be competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation described in this section.
Training should consist of a combination of formal instruction (lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace. Operator training and evaluation should be conducted by someone who has the knowledge, training, and experience to train forklift operators and evaluate their competence.
Initialtraining should include the following topics:
- Operating instruction, warning, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate;
- Truck controls and instrumentation: location, purpose, and operation;
- Differences between a powered industrial truck/forklift and an automobile;
- Engine or motor operation;
- Steering and maneuvering;
- Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);
- Vehicle capacity;
- Vehicle stability;
- Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform;
- Refueling and/or changing of batteries; and
- Operating limitations, and any workplace related topics (e.g., surface conditions, narrow aisles, pedestrian traffic, hazardous locations).
Refresher training in all the above listed topics should be provided:
- When the operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner;
- When the operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident;
- When the operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely;
- When the operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck, or conditions in the workplace change in a manner that would affect the safe operations of a forklift; and/or
- At least every three years.
Upon completion of the training program, all operators are required to be evaluatedfor performance of proper procedures (as listed above).
Someone must document and certify the training and evaluation and will include in the documentation the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.
The license or documentation for the forklift driver must be in writing and should be carried on their person like a driver's license.
INSPECTIONS - Although inspections are not required to be documented, the burden of proof is much easier if the inspection is documented. It is recommended that inspections should be completed before each shift. If at any time a forklift is found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe, the forklift should be removed from service until it has been restored to safe operating condition.
FUEL HANDLING AND STORAGE - Detail out proper fuel handling and storage techniques.
BATTERY HANDLING AND STORAGE - Procedures on battery handling, charging and storing.
MAINTENANCE – List what maintenance will be required for the forklifts, batteries and other forklift related items.
FORKLIFT OPERATING GUIDELINES - List your forklift rules concerning operation and horseplay.
HANDLING AND MOVING LOADS - Picking up loads, driving with loads, safe steering, putting loads on elevated surfaces, putting a load down are topics that would be relevant in this section.
Food for thought:
The person or persons who conduct training, refresher training, evaluations, and certification of operators under 1910.178(l) need not be employed by the employer of those operators. Such third-party training, including appropriate on-the-job training, may be provided by an employers' association, a labor union, joint labor-management training organization, or any other organization meeting the requirements of the standard. However, citations for failure to train will always be issued to the employer.
Never fall behind on your training again… Take a minute to watch how you could be training..
Safety U Online Training
Forklift Safety Training
Content Sample
(1 min. 2 sec.)